Sunday, April 6, 2014

Tom Greene (1955-1990)

Untitled, Tom Greene
Untitled, Tom Greene
The works photographed here are on display in the 2014 Whitney Biennial - on view now through May 25. The series presented features more than a dozen of these untitled - mixed-media works. Their depth and effect is remarkable - that is why I am remarking about them in this blog! Of the many artworks featured in the 2014 Biennial, few called out to me. Tom Greene is a relatively unknown artist; but this exhibit was the one that impressed me the most. 


 




Tom Greene (1955-1990)


Tom Greene is a mostly unknown artist until this posthumous exhibit at the Whitney Biennial in 2014. His friend Richard Hawkins curated this exhibit in his honor. He studied at CalArts. Greene died of complications with AIDS in 1990. Many of the works on display at The Whitney were completed in his final years.



Untitled Works


Untitled, Tom Greene
Untitled, Tom Greene
This series of works by Tom Greene address homosexuality, sexual desire, and mortality ... or immortality. Two photographed here feature macro portraits of mens' lips. One with the name "Wes", and another with the name "Matt" written in decorative lettering on a forward layer. The third work photographed features a photo of a taxidermied Buck obscured by berries and flowers. These works are multi-layered. The photos are tinted and then embalmed, then on a forward layer decorative painting is applied with a thickness that provides some sculptural relief. The overall effect is of great depth and substance. The offset colors glow and flicker and there is an almost holographic appearance to them.


Untitled, Tom Greene

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