Blossoms and the Biennial

A couple of weeks ago my friend, Karen, and I headed to the Whitney Biennial. On our way over, we became a bit distracted when we caught a glimpse of cherry blossoms down the street in Central Park. We took a brief detour over to Fifth Avenue, and somehow managed to cross the Greek Independence Day Parade to stand below these beautiful flowering trees.

We eventually made our way to the museum and got through the long line to see the work inside. Below are a couple of images of the pieces I found most intriguing.

I was immediately drawn to the group of small paintings by Andrew Masullo. The brilliant colors are what captured my attention initially, and the forms kept me looking, transfixed. His paintings make me really happy.    

Andrew Masullo, 5017, 2008-09; oil paint on canvas

Andrew Masullo, 5244, 2010; oil paint on canvas

Elaine Reichek, Ariadne’s Lament, 2009; digital embroidery on linen

Elaine Reichek, We Construct A Narrative, 2008; hand embroidery on linen

“We construct a narrative for ourselves, and that’s the thread that we follow from one day to the next. People who disintegrate as personalities are the ones who lose that thread.”

                                                                                                                                                                                            -Paul Auster

Beautiful sewn fabric pieces made to look like loose paint strokes. I love when one material mimics another and sort of takes you by surprise. So clever. I need to find out the name of this artist since I forgot to jot it down. Amazing work.