AMY HILL – THE AGE OF DELIGHTENMENT
2013-09-09Hill composes contemporary scenes inspired by pious gestures and devout expressions of Fifteenth century Flemish altarpieces and portraits. Her past series portrayed “Bikers” via Rembrandt and “Bohemians” a la Memling, now she turns worshippers of Mary into “Goth Girls.” Featured in this exhibition will be Amy Hill’s “Seven Deadly Sins” series, in which Hill references the central panel of Han Memling’s Triptych of Earthly Vanity and Divine Salvation. The figure’s pose and the iconography are transmuted to relate a contemporary update on the concept of the seven deadly sins. Apathy, Distraction, Deprivation, Nymphomania, Paranoia, Syntheticity and Workaholism replace the traditionally known sins, reflecting the current vices plaguing society. While the structure of each painting retains elemental features of Memling’s Vanity, Hill redirects their reference to contemporary associations.
Amy Hill’s series “Women in Goth Clothing” relates the history of portraiture through the history of fashion. Clothing elements of the past, such as large ruffled collars, puffed-up sleeves and the folds of draping fabric can be seen as the primary concern in compositions of many well-known images. Hill considers the historical poses that accentuate these fashions and utilizes them as a departure point, attributing contemporary clothing trends as an indicator of current times. Hill retains the primary characterizations of 15th century Flemish art with her use of idealism and experimentation with perspective, creating portraits that are a contemporary reflection of the past. The subjects of her paintings are chosen from the fringes of society where there is more self-expression and give a more impactful view of today’s society.
Exhibition runs through to October 13th, 2013
The Front Room
147 Roebling St
Williamsburg
Brooklyn
New York
NY
