URGENT UPDATE: The highly anticipated exhibition, Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting, has just launched at the Modern Art Museum, marking the first major museum showcase in the US dedicated to the acclaimed figure painter. Organized by the National Portrait Gallery in London and curated by Sarah Howgate, this groundbreaking exhibition features an impressive collection of 50 works that span Saville’s illustrious career, offering a unique glimpse into her artistic evolution.
Saville, who gained prominence in the early 1990s following her celebrated degree show at the Glasgow School of Art, continues to redefine the boundaries of figurative painting. Her works, known for their thick layers of paint and visceral quality, invite viewers into a sensory experience that is both energetic and deeply personal. The exhibition is overseen by Andrea Karnes, Chief Curator at the Modern, ensuring an insightful presentation of Saville’s transformative impact on contemporary art.
This exhibition not only highlights key milestones in Saville’s journey but also features monumental nudes that catapulted her to fame in 1992. Furthermore, it includes her innovative new ‘portraits’ crafted for the twenty-first century. These pieces, rendered in vibrant fluorescent tones, challenge the conventional notions of beauty in our image-saturated digital landscape.
The exhibition is designed to trace the trajectory of Saville’s practice from the 1990s to the present, showcasing both charcoal drawings and large-scale oil paintings that interrogate the relationship between the physical and virtual. With an emphasis on her lasting connection to art history, this display is a must-see for art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
In close collaboration with Saville, the exhibition draws from significant public and private collections worldwide, ensuring a comprehensive view of her artistic contributions. A detailed publication accompanies the exhibition, featuring essays from notable figures such as Emanuele Coccia, Dr. Nicholas Cullinan, John Elderfield, and Roxane Gay, along with a dialogue between Saville and Howgate.
As the art world watches, this exhibition is poised to spark conversations about the evolving nature of figurative painting and its relevance today. Don’t miss the chance to engage with Jenny Saville’s powerful works, now on display at the Modern.
Stay tuned for further updates on this landmark exhibition and its impact on the contemporary art scene.
