Unrealism: New Figurative Painting

Figuration is one of the oldest art forms, but it continually evolves, along with our changing understanding of human identity. Aria Dean, Sam McKinniss, Ebecho Muslimova A’10, and Tschabalala Self discuss contemporary figurative painting of the last five years in a free, public event. Alison Gingeras moderates.

The featured artists often source imagery from the Internet, and draw on aesthetics developed in Internet-first channels. Digital techniques and affordances are incorporated into rendering processes with traditional media: brushstrokes are more precise, lines are sharper, and color is more highly keyed. In these works, expressionism is located more in the composition than in the paint handling.

This event launches Rizzoli’s Unrealism: New Figurative Painting. Copies will be available for sale by The Strand.