"Not Pierced", oil on canvas
Laura Duggan
Faces & Figures
September 3 – 26th, 2009
Reception September 17th, 6-9P
Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present in our new space in Chelsea, a solo exhibition of new faces and figures by Laura Duggan. In these oil paintings, Laura continues to capture the essence of the model from which all her portraits and figures arise – from life. Her work thrives on the simplicity of the pose and there is honesty about the pieces; they are delicate and perceptive. “The Music Stand” above is an excellent example of this where the figure reflects an innocence and purity in a white slip dress while sitting quietly with her music stand. In this piece, Duggan has begun to use the background more to become an environment for the figure – she sits well here and fits in. In her past work, Laura’s backgrounds have been flat monotone surfaces that have worked well for her Alex Katz style figures but the incorporated backgrounds now start to tell a different story.
Her faces as always are intriguing – we can easily conjure up circumstances that have caught these portraits in time – it is a moment or glimpse into what they might be thinking. Although the facial expressions appear simple and non-telling we want to know their thoughts and become a part of them.
There is a wonderful stillness and subtlety to Duggan’s work and it will be interesting to see where the artist and her friends bring us next.
Joyce Pommer, Director
September gallery hours:
Thursday 10-8P
Friday/Saturday 10-6P & by appt
