Waxing Time, Waning Light. New works: the encaustic on wood panel paintings. Morris continues to explore the idea of memory, a long-standing theme in his work. His new paintings build on the atmosphere he creates: a place where reality mixes with memory and fantasy yet somehow the world he creates seems to stand still.
Waxing Time, Waning Light: New Paintings
Castelli Gallery is pleased to present new works by Robert Morris. The encaustic on
wood panel paintings are a continuation of the works presented in the exhibition
entitled Small Fires and Mnemonic Nights at
the gallery two years ago.
The earlier paintings depicted the interiors of homes and public spaces such as a
station or a gymnasium as well as domestic landscapes. They present images from a
previous era, mainly the 1930s and 40s, and have an atmosphere reminiscent of those
in works by Edward Hopper. They are figurative in the sense that the subject matter
is easily recognizable, yet the works are unpopulated. Robert Morris has
incorporated figures into his new works mainly in the form of vintage photographic
images, however, a feeling of distance remains, as there is no direct interaction
between the people in these photographs and the rest of the composition. In fact,
the figures in photographs seem almost voyeuristic giving the viewer a sense of
unease as they stare through window panes and out of frames hung on the walls.
Often the people in the photographs are of the artist's close or immediate family,
which brings a form of reality and memory into compositions that could otherwise be
viewed as purely imaginative. As in the pieces from Small Fires these paintings
continue to have unknown light sources, deep shadows and 'small fires' a
fireplace is often the focal point of many of the works.
Robert Morris continues to explore the idea of memory, a long-standing theme in his
work. His new paintings build on the atmosphere he creates: a place where reality
mixes with memory and fantasy yet somehow the world he creates seems to stand still.
For further information please contact Jessica Mastro: info@castelligallery.com
Leo Castelli Gallery
18 East 77th Street - New York
Hours: 10 - 18