Kindred, 2008, is a prominent example of Jenny Morgan’s emotionally charged paintings. Two nude women stand side by side, engaged in a soft embrace. The figures gaze out at the viewer with an unwavering intensity. The lack of setting emphasizes the intimacy of the work, directing the entirety of viewers’ attention to the women.
Upon closer inspection, areas of what appear to be rashes become apparent. Pinpoint splotches of red and white dot the figures, prompting viewers to wonder whether they are depictions of skin conditions or scratches. These surface inconsistencies are manifestations of Morgan’s craft and preparation.
Detail of the present work After painting her subjects, Morgan sands down the surface of the work, revealing meticulously layered undercoats of red paint and sometimes reaching the white gesso. Her abrasions serve to unite the painting and the image it depicts, revealing the “flesh” of both at once. This infuses the work with another level of intimacy, as both the figures and the painting itself bear open wounds.
The sense of closeness that permeates Morgan’s oeuvre is heightened by the fact that she only paints people who she knows personally. She notes the importance of the relationships she has with her subjects, stating that it often leads to "deep conversations" and "profound emotional spaces."i The present lot exhibits Morgan's ability to convey this emotional depth through corporeal studies.
i Jenny Morgan, quoted in Doug Prillen and Evan Pricco, "Jenny Morgan: A Quiet Reappearance," Juxtapoz, March 31, 2020, online.
Provenance
Plus Gallery, Denver
Acquired from the above by the present ownerExhibited
New York, Like the Spice Gallery, Jenny Morgan: Abrasions, January 9–February 8, 2009
107
Kindred
signed and titled "Jenny Morgan "Kindred" Jenny Morgan "Kindred" Jenny Morgan" on the overlap; signed "Jenny Morgan" on the stretcher
oil on canvas
62 1/8 x 44 1/4 in. (157.8 x 112.4 cm)
Painted in 2008.
Estimate
$5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $15,240
Katerina Blackwood
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20th Century & Contemporary Art
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20th Century & Contemporary Art: Online Auction, New York
11 - 20 March 2024
