Parrish Reflects On New York Art Scene

The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill will host a screening and talk for the film “Painters Painting, A Candid History of the New York Art Scene” on Friday, January 18, at 6 PM. The 1973 film, by Emile de Antonio, will explore the iconic city art scene from 1940 through 1970. In the film, de Antonio captures intimate discussions about Abstract Expressionism with famed artists in their studios. Once the last credit has scrolled, the Parrish’s director Terrie Sultan will have a conversation with artist Valerie Jaudon.

“Valerie is an accomplished and intelligent painter, with whom I have had several conversations about the history and process of painting. I think she will have excellent insights to share on the methods and approaches to painting,” Sultan said. Jaudon’s artwork is part of the permanent exhibit “A Fresh Look: The Collection in Conversation” at the museum.

The showing is co-presented with Hamptons Doc Fest and part of the new, periodic Artist’s Lens Series, which invites working artists to participate in programs and talks with audience members.

“It’s an ongoing discussion. It’s an important documentation. There’s something very authentic in what the artists were saying. They were very relaxed,” Jaudon said about de Antonio’s film. “We’re so used to everything being on social media, being seen. Things are quite different, at the time this wasn’t something that was done. The whole thing about American art, it was important to all of those curators and artists that were speaking. It was a very big moment, a very important time.”

Artists featured in the film include Willem de Kooning, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Helen Frankenthaler, Frank Stella, Barnett Newman, Hans Hofmann, Jules Olitski, Philip Pavia, Larry Poons, Robert Motherwell, and Kenneth Noland.

Sultan added, “We, in the profession, have the privilege of talking one-on-one with artists to explore and understand how artists structure their studio practices and why they make the decisions that they do. With this film and discussion, we hope that the audience will have this same experience of being behind-the-scenes in the minds of the artist.”

Tickets are $15, $5 for members, children, and students. Visit www.parrishart.org.

nicole@indyeastend.com