NEW YORK—Lucy Fradkin‘s charming portraits have a folk sensibility. Depicted in colorful, detailed interiors and with particular attention paid to their clothing and accessories, her subjects are both distinct and serene. The artist creates her environments by collaging elements from vintage books, old catalogues and field guides. Fradkin describes her work thus: “Inspired by Indian and Persian miniatures, the vanishing art of hand-painted signage and a variety of sacred and folk arts, I create portraits of diverse individuals. Following in the tradition of genre painters, I place figures, often women, in domestic settings. The figures are quiet and inactive, which contributes to the solemn and mysterious atmosphere of the scene.”
“Lucy Fradkin: Home is Where the Heart Is” was recently on view at Nancy Margolis Gallery from March 1 to April 7, 2012. In May, the Brooklyn-based artist is teaching a mixed-media narrative collage course at the Art Students League of New York.
All photos by Arts Observer
Above, From left, “Perseverance Brings Good Fortune,” 2001 (oil on paper with collage and pencil), “Lily of the Valley,” 2011 (acrylic gouache on paper with collage and pencil) and “Woman With Venetian Blind,” 2011 (acrylic gouache on paper with collage and pencil). Top of page, “Perseverance Brings Good Fortune.”
From left, “Trumpet Sonata,” 2012 (acrylic gouache on paper with collage and pencil), “How To Live On 24 Hours a Day,” 2012 (acrylic gouache on paper with collage and pencil) and “Hole in One,” 2012 (acrylic gouache on paper with collage and pencil).
At left, “Breakfast of Champions,” 2011 (acrylic gouache on paper with collage and pencil) and “St. Omar and The Miracle Drug,”2011 (acrylic gouache on paper with collage and pencil).
From left, “Janey’s Home-Cooked Meals Cafe,” 2012 (arylic gouache on paper with collage and pencil) and “Woman Ironing,” 2012 (acrylic gouache on paper with collage and pencil).