Jonathan Viner, one of my favorite young painting talents (and a guy whose art I wish I had the money to buy), is currently showing a new exhibit called “Harem” at Sloan Fine Art. From the studio’s press release:

On its surface, “Harem” is a group of ten portraits of young Russian women, each one apparently alone, nude, and listening to vintage, high fidelity headphones. Upon further consideration, the tight, close up compositions, leash-like headphone chords, and ambivalent facial expressions give us a sense that these women are perhaps unwilling captives. But their relaxed postures, soft surroundings, and vague facial expressions convey an atmosphere of calm and comfort. This contradiction is embodied by the headphones themselves, which isolate and tether these harem girls while simultaneously providing them with enriching, faithfully reproduced sounds.

Visit his website. Overtones of John Currin, Mark Ryden, etc. Brilliant technique and subject matter. Check out the older stuff especially.

Through July 18th at Sloan Fine Art
128 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10002
www.sloanfineart.com
212.477.1140