contemporary excavations

Fuhgitfulness, 2012, Mixed media collage on canvas,
120 x 198 inches by Mark Bradford

Calm before tomorrow’s storm. Caught a glimpse of Mark Bradford’s work at Sikkema Jenkins & Co. in Chelsea. Large scale mixed-media paintings – using a very interesting layering technique and subtractive method. A very physical approach to image-making, with collage elements, stencils, cuts, gouging, and what appears to be sanding of the surface to expose hidden hues. Elements of text become abstracted, panels look weathered and yet glisten with hints of silver and neon. Yes, I’ll take this one for my living room, please.