David Zwirner is presenting a series of
works by Swedish artist Mamma Andersson for the exhibition Behind the Curtain, in two of its gallery spaces. For this show,
Andersson presents several paintings alongside two murals and often draws
inspiration from archived photographs, images from old films, and old-fashioned
theater sets. Her works a unique and classically timeless feel, as she
juxtaposes thick brushstrokes and loose washes with clearly defined graphic
lines.
Andersson’s
subjects are often depicted in theatrical settings. For instance, a piece
titled Ceremony features two dancers
in action positioned across from each other on stage, resembling paper doll
cut-outs. Similarly, Le Charme Discret de la Bourgeoisie
features two antique wooden dolls, on a theater set and one of the dolls is
sitting in a chair with her peg arms and legs clearly outlined.
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| "Ceremony" (2014) by Mamma Andersson |
Other intriguing works include Hangman depicting a puppet without its strings, holding onto a
bar with his back turned to the viewer and where a larger shadow is projected
onto the background; and Mimicry
which illustrates white outlined figures standing on a table against a pink
wall with diamond shaped patterns.
Furthermore, Stays alludes to theater life behind the
scenes as the piece illustrates a row of corsets on a dressing table with two
big ones on the end, and three smaller ones in the middle, with their
reflections seen through the shiny polish of the table.
Characterized by their muted,
high-contrast palette, the paintings in the exhibition address materiality and
the interplay of light and shadow. In addition to the paintings, the show will also include two of
Andersson’s large-scale murals.
At David Zwirner’s two Chelsea locations,
519 and 525 W. 19th St., through Feb. 14. Both gallery locations are open
Tues.—Sat. from 10 a.m.—6 p.m.
