Cecily Brown: Rehearsal casts the spotlight on the artist's sketches, which hold their own as works of art. Over 80 pieces, ranging from small sketchbook scraps to huge studies, decorate the space. Upon entering, the overwhelming amount of pieces displayed creates an air of being within a sketchbook itself.
The drawings are completed in various media, including ink, watercolor, pastel, pencil, and more. A broad range of techniques are present in Brown’s works. The drawings have a transient quality to them, presenting as simultaneously finished and unfinished. The compositions tend to feature mostly empty space surrounding the sketch itself, giving a loose, carefree feel to the pieces.
The exhibition focuses on Brown’s many inspirations, such as the prints of William Hogarth, and how she goes about creating her own renditions of these works. Many of the pieces at first appear to be similar, but upon closer inspection the uniqueness of each iteration is evident. Slightly altered details and gestures in each drawing create a ripple effect that transforms the appearance of the entire work.
Cecily Brown: Rehearsal unfolds delicately to the viewer. Not only is it a stunning investigation of the differences between finished and unfinished artworks, it’s a reflection of how repetition is a means to an end itself. Cecily Brown: Rehearsal is a gallery experience that you will surely want to relive again and again, and no two experiences will be the same.
I really like this piece and how your writing takes us through her process in drawing. However maybe you could include her inspiration for her pieces or what compels her to do her work? You focus a lot on the technical aspects of her drawing and what we see, but not so much as what the artists intended purpose of the art is. I think that might be an important part to add.
ReplyDeleteI really like this piece and how your writing takes us through her process in drawing. However maybe you could include her inspiration for her pieces or what compels her to do her work? You focus a lot on the technical aspects of her drawing and what we see, but not so much as what the artists intended purpose of the art is. I think that might be an important part to add.
ReplyDeleteI think that your review covers the most important aspects of the exhibition. However it would be useful to choose a couple of drawings to use as examples of the technical/compositional issues you are talking about. I like where you are going with the conclusion, but I would cut the last sentence since it just repeats the name of the artist and exhibition.
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