In writing about Henri Matisse’s iconic cut-outs, New Jersey-born painter Philip Taaffe says that they’re “as brilliant for their economy of means as they are for their vibrancy and energy of expression.” High praise, because if Matisse were alive and painting today, his work would probably look a lot like Taaffe’s.
For over three decades, Taaffe, the OG bohemian gentleman, has explored connections between past and present cultures, creating a new frontier of of eye-popping, tapestry-like paintings. The main inspiration? Travel. We'd like to take a peek at his many passports, considering his wanderlust has taken him on frequent sojourns in the Middle East, India, and Morocco. (Fun fact: When he's in NYC, he lives at the Hotel Chelsea, furnished with a billiard room.)
Not surprising then, that in his current, self-titled show at Luhring Augustine’s gallery in Bushwick, inspiration combines street art, Indian tapestry, Asian architecture, prehistoric pictoglyphs, and hippie tie-dye—a cultural mash-up reflected on five massive, hanging canvases.
Our eyes were immediately drawn to Spiral Painting II, a work dominated by razor-sharp spirals tumbling out of a bright pastel background. Isolated, the spirals don't look out of place on Bushwick streets, but combined, they look like tribal patterns from a primordial past. On the opposite wall, Glyphic Field has a similar effect, covered with ancient pictoglyphs in vibrant, Matisse-like colors.
The Nocturne with Architectural Fragments, Imaginary Fountain, and Choir are the backbone of the show, and they form a spectacular triptych. Blending elements of Asian architecture with repeating geometric patterns, they come off as intricate and beautiful as ancient tapestries, something you might find copied at ABC Carpet & Home, if you're lucky.
With Luhring Augustine landing artists like Taaffe, it’s starting to feel like "East Williamsburg" has arrived. First the LES, now Bushwick... who's next?
Philip Taaffe's self-titled exhibit runs through April 26
Luhring Augustine
25 Knickerbocker Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237
MAP
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Philip Taaffe's self-titled exhibit is a cultural mash-up reflected on five massive, hanging canvases. Photos by Farzad Owrang![]()
Imaginary Fountain comes off as intricate and beautiful as ancient tapestry.![]()
Choir is part of a triptych that forms the backbone of the show.![]()
Spiral Painting II is a work dominated by razor-sharp spirals tumbling out of a bright pastel background.![]()
For over three decades, Taaffe, the OG bohemian gentleman, has explored connections between past and present cultures, creating a new frontier of of eye-popping, tapestry-like paintings. The main inspiration? Travel. We'd like to take a peek at his many passports, considering his wanderlust has taken him on frequent sojourns in the Middle East, India, and Morocco. (Fun fact: When he's in NYC, he lives at the Hotel Chelsea, furnished with a billiard room.)
Not surprising then, that in his current, self-titled show at Luhring Augustine’s gallery in Bushwick, inspiration combines street art, Indian tapestry, Asian architecture, prehistoric pictoglyphs, and hippie tie-dye—a cultural mash-up reflected on five massive, hanging canvases.
Our eyes were immediately drawn to Spiral Painting II, a work dominated by razor-sharp spirals tumbling out of a bright pastel background. Isolated, the spirals don't look out of place on Bushwick streets, but combined, they look like tribal patterns from a primordial past. On the opposite wall, Glyphic Field has a similar effect, covered with ancient pictoglyphs in vibrant, Matisse-like colors.
The Nocturne with Architectural Fragments, Imaginary Fountain, and Choir are the backbone of the show, and they form a spectacular triptych. Blending elements of Asian architecture with repeating geometric patterns, they come off as intricate and beautiful as ancient tapestries, something you might find copied at ABC Carpet & Home, if you're lucky.
With Luhring Augustine landing artists like Taaffe, it’s starting to feel like "East Williamsburg" has arrived. First the LES, now Bushwick... who's next?
Philip Taaffe's self-titled exhibit runs through April 26
Luhring Augustine
25 Knickerbocker Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11237
MAP
Philip Taaffe's self-titled exhibit is a cultural mash-up reflected on five massive, hanging canvases. Photos by Farzad Owrang
Imaginary Fountain comes off as intricate and beautiful as ancient tapestry.
Choir is part of a triptych that forms the backbone of the show.
Spiral Painting II is a work dominated by razor-sharp spirals tumbling out of a bright pastel background.