Its hard to figure out what the latest trends or goings-on are in contemporary art because 'the artworld' seems too big and diverse to absorb at any given time. However, the work at the Whitney Biennial, the biggest group show in the US, might give you a sense of some of the themes that artists are addressing in their work today. You could start by reading this recent article in the New York Times: The State of our Art According to Whitney: A Guide to the 2014 Whitney). To get an overview of the curatorial side of this show, here is an article from last November: Whitney Biennial Taking Shape. 

There are 103 artists in this year's show: 2014 Whitney Biennial artists and what seems different from other shows in the last 10 or 20 years, is that there seems to be a real resurgence of painting, drawing and sculpture. In the past these genres took backstage to video, photography and installation and generally more conceptually based work. 

Seeing Out Loud: There's a Smart Show Struggling to Get Out of This Big, Bland Whitney Biennial. And here is a piece called "Where have all the politics gone?"  And from the same blog (Hyperallergic), an article focussing on one of the curators of the exhibition: Michelle Grabner.

I was inspired to write about the Biennial in this week's newsletter because the Laura Owens' image (above) in the New York Times article caught my eye. Owens seems to paint whatever she wants and always seems to be trying new things in her work. She is willing to take risks and go beyond striving for aesthetic beauty or everyday logic. The work in the image above seems like a homage to Rauschenberg's chair piece entitled Pilgrim. I love that Rauschenberg lives on in the new work at the 2014 Whitney Biennial. 

I suggest checking out the Whitney Biennial website and perusing some of the artists in the show (of course better yet, go to New York and see the exhibition!). And maybe you will discover some new artists or come across known favourites. Its worth spending some time considering the artists and work on exhibit here.

And while you might not discover the 'state of our art' by looking at, and reading about, the work in this exhibition, you could learn how to work with a more adventurous colour palette the way Owens does, by signing up for Xane St Phillips' one day Discover Your Colour Palette workshop at VISA this weekend.

Have you ever wondered about how to put colours together? Would you like to learn to create a dynamic colour scheme that is both pleasing and personal? Whether it's how to choose paint for your home or update your wardrobe, colour choices are by their very nature, subjective. Learn to establish a gratifying colour palette by working with paper swatches and responding to personal decisions based on what are often instant and intuitive likes. 

 

Once you have developed your palette, the instructor will guide you through the addition of neutrals and complementary colours to create a personal colour scheme that is both exciting and visually satisfying. Suitable for complete beginners.

 

Would you like to intensify your day-to-day experience, whether at home or while traveling? A wonderful way to do this is to learn to draw the world around you. This workshop focuses on drawing everyday scenes including, architecture, and interiors of buildings, people, gardens and parks. Fundamental drawing techniques are explored, as well as demonstrations on what materials work best for on-site sketching. This is a great workshop if you would like to capture your environment with quick spontaneous sketches. Suitable for complete beginners.

 

Hours: Sat/Sun 12-4pm or by appointment.