John Currin

by Robert Rosenblum

A trip to Currin-land is like a science-fiction movie, in which familiar things-Old Master works by Bruegel and Courbet, the Rococo idylls of Boucher and Fragonard, girly photos from 1960s men's magazines, and cheerful ads for wholesome American products-are transformed into figurative paintings that border on the freakish. In John Currin's universe, everything looks both commonplace and fantastic, like Norman Rockwell paintings as seen through a fun-house mirror.

Esteemed art critic Robert Rosenblum reviews Currin's output of the past 10 years in this choice monograph-the first major book on Currin's white-hot career. Seventy-five provocatively titled colorplates exemplify the artist's trademark collision of classical technique and 20th-century kitsch. Currin has already caught the attention of Vogue, Vanity Fair, and The New York Times. And what reader wouldn't be curious to see Bea Arthur Naked (1991)?


Catalogue of 2003 Exhibition at Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago

Genres: Art

120 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Robert Rosenblum was a curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and a professor at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. He is the author of multiple volumes on modern and contemporary art, including The Paintings of August Strindberg and Paintings in the Musee d'Orsay. Rosenblum is the recipient of a Frank Jewett Mather Award for Distinction in Art Criticism.

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always like Currin's work but could never find a collection. This book, while not being a comprehensive collection by any means, is a wonderfully grouping of the artists's work as well as providing the reader two solid essays and a nice interview. I have a new appreciation for Currin and what he is trying to do with painting.

[Hotavio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first exposed to Currin's work on a visit to Des Moines Art Center, where a large and his semi-confrontational Three Friends greeted me at the top of a three story ascent via stairway. I was taken unexpectedly at the contorted limbs and the playful gestures which accompanied the male fantasy of three women hanging out in the nude. The way that the limbs dangled endlessly and their necks jutted out proudly reminded me of my studies on Italian Mannerist Parmigianino and forged a more permanent image of his work in my mind.

Upon reading the book, I have found that though there are many things unconventional and unacademic about his general artistic style, Currin is well versed in the works of classic artists and often utilizes the subjects and techniques of classic paintings. The essay by Rosenblum book particularly points out which ones. Also in the book are essays on Currin's "Invalid" and "Socialite" genres which liberally employ diverse textures and brushstroke, altering their themes. Lastly, there is an interview with the artist where he attempts to explain the reasoning and mentality behind his sometimes antagonistic paintings.

I am happy to have read through this artbook. I have so many just sitting on my shelf. I recognize that reading on an artist is important, however, to truly understand their motives or to catch details you normally wouldn't catch. For this reason, and because I sorely need to become acquainted with contemporary art, I aim to acquire further exposure.

[brian tanabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currin is one of my favorite contemporary artists.