portraits Archivi ~ Page 4 of 30 ~ art-news.space - All about the world of art and culture!

More stories

138 Shares199 Views
in Art
In Vivid Reliquaries, Stan Squirewell Layers Anonymous Portraits and Patterned Textiles
by Aurelia Butler 28 March 2025, 15:30
All images courtesy of Stan Squirewell and Claire Oliver Gallery, shared with permission
In Vivid Reliquaries, Stan Squirewell Layers Anonymous Portraits and Patterned Textiles
March 28, 2025
ArtPhotography
Grace Ebert
Share
Pin
Email
Bookmark
Through intimate, mixed-media collages, Stan Squirewell excavates the stories of those who might otherwise be lost in anonymity. The artist gathers images from the Smithsonian’s archives and from friends and family that he then reinterprets with vibrant prints and patterns. Layering unknown pasts with present-day additions, Squirewell explores how everyday traditions and rituals remain through generations.
His new body of work, Robitussin, Hotcombs & Grease, invokes ubiquitous items like the over-the-counter decongestant and hair care. “Growing up, I was shaped by elders around me, and everyday objects like Robitussin, hotcombs, and grease became vessels for the rituals that anchored me to my heritage,” the artist says. “These items transcend their mundane uses: they embody traditions passed down through generations, grounding me in a collective identity.”
“Girls on Saturn” (2025)
Squirewell cuts and collages images and fabrics from his collection before photographing the composition, which then undergoes a digital editing process. An elaborate frame complements each piece with charred shou sugi ban edges—a Japanese burning technique—and hand-carved details. The sides bear various inscriptions connecting past and present, including lines from Langston Hughes’ poems and glyphs from ancestral African languages that have fallen out of use.
Because the identities and histories of many of the subjects are unknown, Squirewell’s work adds a new relevance to their images. How have daily, domestic practices and the legacies of previous generations informed the present? And how do these traditions create a broader collective experience? Rooted in these questions, the dignified works become reliquaries that honor what’s been passed down and how that continues to inform life today.
Robitussin, Hotcombs & Grease is on view through May 24 at Claire Oliver Gallery in Harlem. Find more from Squirewell on Instagram.
“Teddy” (2024), artist-printed photos collaged with paint and glitter in a hand-carved shou sugi ban frame, 43 x 35 x 3 inches
“Teddy’s Lil Sisters” (2024), artist-printed photos collaged with paint and glitter in a hand-carved shou sugi ban frame, 29 x 24 x 2 inches
“Girls on Saturn” (2025)
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now, and support independent arts publishing.
Hide advertising
Save your favorite articles
Get 15% off in the Colossal Shop
Receive members-only newsletter
Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms
Join us today!
$7/month
$75/year
Explore membership options
Next article More
163 Shares129 Views
in Art
Inhabitants of a Fictional World Search for Understanding in Damien Cifelli’s Vibrant Paintings
by Aurelia Butler 28 March 2025, 09:00
“A guide to the Unknown Other.” All images courtesy of Damien Cifelli, shared with permission
Inhabitants of a Fictional World Search for Understanding in Damien Cifelli’s Vibrant Paintings
March 28, 2025
Art
Kate Mothes
Share
Pin
Email
Bookmark
In Tarogramma, the imaginary world conceived by Damien Cifelli (previously) as a setting for his vibrant paintings, plants are plentiful, but animals don’t exist. The landscapes are as diverse and enigmatic as its inhabitants, who commune with bodies of water, traverse the desert in a suit, and size up an enigmatic object on a dinner plate.
Cifelli’s stylish figures investigate their environment to try to understand their place within it. Many of the paintings shown here were recently exhibited at Spinello Projects in Miami, emphasizing the artist’s recent focus on analyzing what life is like in this fictive world.
“I make a map in my mind but each time I raise my head it disappears”
“In Tarogramma, symbols are imbued with disassociated meanings unrelated to what we think they could be,” says a statement for his show. “Iconography, such as flags or emblems, represent regions that exist not as physical places but as ideas or states of mind.” This world is devoid of ethnic, cultural, or gender hierarchies, and identity is fluid and chosen, which encourages constant transformation.
Occasionally, Cifelli’s paintings reference famous artworks like “Wanderer before the Sea of Ice,” which nods to German Romanticist artist Caspar David Friedrich’s 1818 painting, “Wanderer Above a Sea of Fog.” Capturing the solipsism of the 19th-century work, Cifelli translates the view into an arctic scene of jagged ice, with the central figure wearing a coat decorated in symbols evocative of biological forms.
Explore more on Cifelli’s website and Instagram.
“The trick is to know what you are looking for”
“A new route to the interior”
“Everything that happens will happen today”
“Dream Animal”
“Green Fingers, Unit 14”
“Infinite Ground”
“At the foot of the mountain, the land speaks”
“Wanderer before the Sea of Ice”
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now, and support independent arts publishing.
Hide advertising
Save your favorite articles
Get 15% off in the Colossal Shop
Receive members-only newsletter
Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms
Join us today!
$7/month
$75/year
Explore membership options
Next article More
125 Shares169 Views
in Art
Robert Peterson Summons Black Resilience and Tenderness in Vibrant Portraits
by Aurelia Butler 20 March 2025, 13:26
“The Prophet” (2025), oil on canvas, 48 x 30 inches. All images courtesy of the artist and albertz benda, New York and Los Angeles, shared with permission
Robert Peterson Summons Black Resilience and Tenderness in Vibrant Portraits
March 20, 2025
Art
Kate Mothes
Share
Pin
Email
Bookmark
In characteristically glistening blue hues, Robert Peterson’s striking portraits invite us into emotionally complex inner worlds.
Peterson centers the Black body in paintings that challenge dominant narratives surrounding Black lives, celebrating beauty, compassion, and resilience. Tender portraits reveal the essential humanity of vulnerability and individuality with an emphasis on themes of empathy and togetherness.
“Protect Those Tears” (2025), oil on canvas, 14 x 11 inches
Peterson’s choice of oils, a traditional portrait medium, embeds his work in the continuum of Western painting. However, instead of highly stylized scenes or elaborate ornamentation, his figures are often set against bold, flat backgrounds and they appear half-dressed or in casual clothes, unguarded and relaxed.
In his forthcoming solo exhibition, We Are Forever at albertz benda, Peterson examines familial connections, paying homage to the strength and dedication inherent in the relationships between siblings and parents and their children.
“At the core of this new body of work is a profound sense of intimacy, offering a thoughtful reflection on presence and the enduring significance of his subjects’ stories,” the gallery says.
We Are Forever runs from March 27 to May 3 in New York. Find more on the artist’s website and Instagram.
“Untitled (Purple)” (2025), oil on canvas, 18 x 14 inches
“Water Me” (2025), oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches
“Hamsa Tattoo” (2025, oil on canvas, 28 x 22 inches
“Untitled (Black)” (2025), oil on canvas, 18 x 14 inches
Installation view of works at the Dallas Art Fair
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now, and support independent arts publishing.
Hide advertising
Save your favorite articles
Get 15% off in the Colossal Shop
Receive members-only newsletter
Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms
Join us today!
$7/month
$75/year
Explore membership options
Next article More
150 Shares199 Views
in Art
A Visit to Amy Sherald’s Studio Revels in Her Commitment to Beauty
by Aurelia Butler 19 March 2025, 19:40
All images courtesy of Art21
A Visit to Amy Sherald’s Studio Revels in Her Commitment to Beauty
March 19, 2025
ArtFilm
Grace Ebert
Share
Pin
Email
Bookmark
From the studio to her childhood bedroom in Columbus, Georgia, to the museum, a new film from Art21 presents a broad portrait of Amy Sherald. The artist is perhaps best known for her depiction of former First Lady Michelle Obama and her signature images of Black Americans rendered in grayscale.
In “Singular Moments,” the Art21 team peers into Sherald’s process and captures the intricacies of creating a work. Reference photos taped to a wall and paint squirted onto white paper plates accompany the artist as she works on her increasingly large-scale canvases.
Sherald frequently paints people she knows, beginning with their faces and eyes before moving on to the rest of their figures. As the title of the film suggests, her focus is on a single moment of beauty. “I think beautiful paintings are important,” she says in the film. “I say figuration is like the soul food of art making. It’s what takes you back home and what you eat when you need comfort, and we all need that at some point.”
The film comes ahead of Sherald’s first solo exhibition at a New York museum, American Sublime, which will present about 50 works from 2007 to today next month at the Whitney Museum of American Art. In addition to a visit to the artist’s parents’ home, filled with grade-school pictures and teenage art projects, viewers also witness the creation of some of her more recent works, particularly those exploring what it means to be an American.
Watch “Singular Moments” above, and be sure to read our conversation with the artist in which she discusses anxiety and finding respite in her work.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now, and support independent arts publishing.
Hide advertising
Save your favorite articles
Get 15% off in the Colossal Shop
Receive members-only newsletter
Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms
Join us today!
$7/month
$75/year
Explore membership options
Next article More
150 Shares159 Views
in Art
Sparse Brushstrokes Give Rise to Thick Impasto in Jose Lerma’s Minimal Portraits
by Aurelia Butler 13 March 2025, 18:43
“Leidy” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 48 x 36 inches. All images courtesy of Jose Lerma and Nino Mier Gallery, shared with permission
Sparse Brushstrokes Give Rise to Thick Impasto in Jose Lerma’s Minimal Portraits
March 13, 2025
Art
Grace Ebert
Share
Pin
Email
Bookmark
When Jose Lerma encountered “Reception of the Grand Condé by Louis XIV” by Jean-Léon Gérôme at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, he found himself drawn to the figures tucked far behind the crowd. Known for his meticulous realism, Gérôme rendered these small characters with minimal brushstrokes, a decision that has influenced Lerma’s work for more than a decade.
Exaggerating the sparse quality of the figures, Lerma (previously) paints portraits in wide swaths of acrylic applied with brooms and industrial tools. The new works retain the contrasts of earlier pieces as well-defined strokes sweep across the burlap to form heavy, impasto ridges.
“Yamila” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 72 x 48 inches
At Nino Mier Gallery in Brussels, Lerma’s new solo exhibition Bayamonesque presents the culmination of his current style. The title references his upbringing in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, and how we think about resemblance. Painting both real subjects and manufactured characters, the portraits reference those who might otherwise be relegated to the background, stripping down their likeness to only what’s necessary.
Vacillating between figurative and abstract, the compositions are what Lerma refers to as “the summary of a portrait…The abstract painter in me is, above all, drawn to certain people for specific features that can be broken down to their bare minimum as paintable elements: an expressive cowl, a striking nose, a distinctive shape of lips.”
Bayamonesque is on view from March 14 to April 17 in Brussels. Find more from Lerma on Instagram.
“Celimar” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 32 x 24 inches
“Leda” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 72 x 48 inches
“Clarisa” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 32 x 24 inches
“Felo” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 24 x 16 inches
“Ismaela” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 32 x 24 inches
“Rania” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 32 x 24 inches
“Fernanda” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 24 x 16 inches
“Lisi” (2025), acrylic on burlap, 48 x 36 inches
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now, and support independent arts publishing.
Hide advertising
Save your favorite articles
Get 15% off in the Colossal Shop
Receive members-only newsletter
Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms
Join us today!
$7/month
$75/year
Explore membership options
Next article More
150 Shares179 Views
in Art
Regal Portraits Evoke Myth and Power in Simone Elizabeth Saunders’ Hand-Tufted Textiles
by Aurelia Butler 12 March 2025, 13:41
“Girl with Butterflies” (2024), silk and wool yarn on muslin warp, 50 x 40 inches. All images courtesy of the artist and Claire Oliver Gallery, shared with permission
Regal Portraits Evoke Myth and Power in Simone Elizabeth Saunders’ Hand-Tufted Textiles
March 12, 2025
ArtCraft
Kate Mothes
Share
Pin
Email
Bookmark
Emblazoned with vibrant patterns and words like “TRUTH” and “LOVE,” Simone Elizabeth Saunders explores Black identity in relation to kinship, power, and survival. Her hand-tufted textiles (previously) merge cultural narratives and history with mythology, nostalgia, and personal experiences.
Saunders predominantly focuses on women, who she portrays in bold portraits and within fantastical, empowering scenarios. In recent works like “Girl with Butterflies” and “She Manifests Her Destiny,” figures embrace and commune with totem-like snakes, insects, and plants.
“She Reveals” (2022), hand-tufted velvet, acrylic, and wool yarn on rug warp, 65 x 60.5 x 1 inches
Rooted in the myriad histories of the global Black diaspora and rich textile traditions throughout countless cultures, Saunders employs a craft technique historically relegated to a role “beneath” fine art in order to turn the tables on how we comprehend influence, identity, and artistic expression.
Saunders is represented by Claire Oliver Gallery, and you can explore more work on the artist’s Instagram.
“(Be)Longing IV” (2023), hand-tufted acrylic, cotton, wool, and metallic yarn on cotton rug warp, 20 x 1 x 30 inches
“Girl with Hummingbirds” (2024), silk and wool yarn on muslin warp, 50 x 40 inches
“Internal Reflections” (2022), hand-tufted velvet, acrylic, and wool yarn on rug warp, 66 x 62.5 x 1 inches
“(Be)Longing VIII” (2024), hand-tufted acrylic, cotton, wool, and metallic yarn on cotton rug warp, 20 x 1 x 30 inches
“Release in Darkness” (2022), hand-tufted velvet and acrylic yarn on muslin warp, 66 x 55 inches
“She Manifests Her Destiny” (2024), silk and wool yarn on textile backing, 50 x 40 inches
“Break Away at Dawn” (2023), hand-tufted velvet, acrylic, and wool yarn on muslin warp, 66 x 56 x 1 inches
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now, and support independent arts publishing.
Hide advertising
Save your favorite articles
Get 15% off in the Colossal Shop
Receive members-only newsletter
Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms
Join us today!
$7/month
$75/year
Explore membership options
Previous articleNext article More
125 Shares169 Views
in Art
Vasilisa Romanenko’s Lush Portraits Wrap Common Birds in Decadent Patterns
by Aurelia Butler 11 March 2025, 17:14
“American Crow” (2025),
acrylic on canvas, 8 x 8 inches. All images courtesy of Vasilisa Romanenko and Arch Enemy Arts, shared with permission
Vasilisa Romanenko’s Lush Portraits Wrap Common Birds in Decadent Patterns
March 11, 2025
ArtNature
Grace Ebert
Share
Pin
Email
Bookmark
Beauty and nature’s resilience are at the core of Vasilisa Romanenko’s work. The Connecticut-based artist paints faithful depictions of common yet dignified birds amid clusters of fruits and flowers, exploring the power of opulence in times of upheaval.
A stately crow poses amid rust-colored roses, a great blue heron poses amid clusters of tangerines and lilies, and a small warbler perches amid pink poppies. Referencing the defiantly decorative works of English textile designer William Morris (1834–1896), Romanenko embraces the entrancing nature of decadent patterns.
“Great Blue Heron” (2025), acrylic on canvas, 22 x 28 inches
“I want my work to feel like an escape from everyday life, like taking a moment to be still and appreciate nature,” she says about her solo exhibition, BIRDS & BLOOMS, at Arch Enemy Arts. Enveloped by flora at full bloom, the winged subjects exude a sense of calm and strength as they perch and prepare for their next flight.
BIRDS & BLOOMS is on view through March 30 in Philadelphia. Find more from Romanenko on her website and Instagram.
“Northern Mockingbird” (2025), acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14 inches
“Black-capped Chickadee” (2025), acrylic on canvas, 5 x 7 inches
“Orange-crowned Warbler” (2025), acrylic on canvas, 5 x 7 inches
“Dark-eyed Juncos” (2025), acrylic on canvas, 9 x 12 inches
“Palm Warbler” (2025), acrylic on canvas, 8 x 10 inches
“Brewer’s Blackbird” (2025), acrylic on canvas, 9 x 12 inches
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now, and support independent arts publishing.
Hide advertising
Save your favorite articles
Get 15% off in the Colossal Shop
Receive members-only newsletter
Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms
Join us today!
$7/month
$75/year
Explore membership options
Previous articleNext article More
163 Shares169 Views
in Art
Intricate Postage Stamp Tattoos by Ash Aurich Are an Ode to Art History
by Aurelia Butler 10 March 2025, 13:11
All images courtesy of Ash Aurich, shared with permission
Intricate Postage Stamp Tattoos by Ash Aurich Are an Ode to Art History
March 10, 2025
ArtIllustration
Kate Mothes
Share
Pin
Email
Bookmark
As the saying goes, if one knows very little about something, their knowledge could fit on the back of a postage stamp. But for tattoo artist Ash Aurich, the minuscule format provides a readymade canvas and frame ripe for experimentation, intrigue, and beauty.
Using a fine line technique with delicate shading, Aurich outlines the unmistakable scalloped edges of the ubiquitous, tiny adhesives, filling rectangular compositions with Renaissance-inspired romantic and religious figures.
A deep appreciation for iconic artworks inspired Aurich to create tiny odes to art history. “I wanted to be able to capture the essence of these masterpieces in a unique and engaging way,” she tells Colossal. “Having the opportunity to tattoo these designs on others who appreciate art is a rewarding experience.”
Aurich’s preferred subject matter is people, especially the dramatic and often symbolic figures in art historical masterworks by the likes of Johannes Vermeer or Caravaggio. “The attention to detail, use of light and shadow, and mastery of human anatomy create stunning, lifelike representations that translate beautifully into tattoos,” the artist says. She shares that it’s important for the emotions and narratives of each portrait to resonate with the wearer, especially at their small scale.
Currently in residency at Atelier Eva, Aurich has opened her books for March and April in New York City. The tattoos seen here are all flash designs, but she creates custom compositions, too. See more on Instagram.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now, and support independent arts publishing.
Hide advertising
Save your favorite articles
Get 15% off in the Colossal Shop
Receive members-only newsletter
Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms
Join us today!
$7/month
$75/year
Explore membership options
Previous articleNext article More

portraits

More stories

In Vivid Reliquaries, Stan Squirewell Layers Anonymous Portraits and Patterned Textiles

Inhabitants of a Fictional World Search for Understanding in Damien Cifelli’s Vibrant Paintings

Robert Peterson Summons Black Resilience and Tenderness in Vibrant Portraits

A Visit to Amy Sherald’s Studio Revels in Her Commitment to Beauty

Sparse Brushstrokes Give Rise to Thick Impasto in Jose Lerma’s Minimal Portraits

Regal Portraits Evoke Myth and Power in Simone Elizabeth Saunders’ Hand-Tufted Textiles

Vasilisa Romanenko’s Lush Portraits Wrap Common Birds in Decadent Patterns

Intricate Postage Stamp Tattoos by Ash Aurich Are an Ode to Art History

ITALIAN LANGUAGE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE