Nolan Hendrickson.
Post 2007. Title unknown, Work as shown at the Ramiken Crucible in the
Lower East Side NYC.
Nolan Hendrickson’s work is often described as
carnival-like, cheeky, and overtly sexualized. It is all of that and just a smoosh more. His work is highly
charged in subject matter, social commentary, and vibrancy in color palette. A
flamboyant mix that counteracts a subject that is, as some might consider, an
in-your-face nod to a queer lifestyle with a lightness and flash. Its overt nature his work begs you to
sit and stay awhile, promising a goodtime.
The Painting has movement and body shapes that
evoke frolic and dancing as one might expect from Matisse or Warhol in the days
of Studio 54. All of which is like breathing a breath of fresh air, but
hearkening back to this familiarity of good times gone by. The work seems
playful and simultaneously the work seems unapologetic as it points to this
juxtaposition of reality and
fantasy. This piece especially I think speaks to a type of celebrity in the
triad of faces shown. Wearing a jacket that would look not out of place on
James Spader in a Brat Pack film, the figure seems to be approaching his
audience with a fresh face forward, complicated and on display. Walking a
catwalk behind the velvet rope, owning it even in gesture it as if the figure
itself is riding an imaginary horse, a horse called Fame. I think that in this sideshow approach
there is a beauty in is shamelessness and honesty.
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