Elizabeth Peyton at the New Museum

Portrait of Poitr Uklanski (1996), Elizabeth Peyton via NYTimes

The Elizabeth Peyton exhibit at the New Museum features over 100 works by the artist. The exhibit, titled “Live Forever: Elizabeth Peyton”, will be open until January 11th, 2009. Her work can be found in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris

Elizabeth Peyton emerged in the early 1990s along with painters such as Lisa Yuskavage and John Currin. Her portraits are often characterized by elongated, slender figures with androgynous features which at times resemble fashion illustration. These portraits generally portray individuals that Peyton has established personal rapport with or portraits linked to her imagination-- individuals she wished she had known. The exhibit at the New Museum involves examples of Peyton’s work from the last fifteen years.

Peyton’s celebrity subjects have included Liam Gallagher (Oasis), Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones), Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), John Lennon (The Beatles), and Eminem-- among others. Her portrait of John Lennon sold for $800,000 in 2006. Peyton is often credited for having revived the tradition of portrait painting during a time when portrait painting was considered by many to be “dead”.

Links of Interest:

Roberta Smith on Elizabeth Peyton’s Show at The New Museum [Badatsports]
Live Forever: Elizabeth Peyton [New Museum]
The Personal and the Painterly [NYTimes]

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin
Senior Editor
www.myartspace.com