As a gamer who has spent countless hours immersed in the virtual world, I can’t help but draw parallels between Nathaniel Mary Quinn‘s artistic journey and my own gaming adventures. Just as Quinn found solace and inspiration in films like ‘A Raisin in the Sun’, I too have been inspired by the stories and characters within the games I’ve played.
Over the past weekend, American artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn served as resident curator at the Metrograph theater in downtown Manhattan, partnering with Gagosian. The artist showcased a collection of his preferred films, reintroducing “A Raisin in the Sun” (1961), “Hustle & Flow” (2005) and “Lust for Life” (1956) to the big screen once more.
The three movies share a common theme: their characters strive towards a more fulfilling life. As the artist explains to HypeArt, “Motivated by deep-rooted faith, they’re determined to rise above adversity and find a path towards brighter prospects.” In essence, one might say they’re a bit unconventional for having faith in what seems improbable to many.
Prior to the movie viewing, Quinn reminisces about the charm of Daniel Petrie’s iconic film “A Raisin in the Sun“. “One night as a teacher in Chicago, I spent hours painting a mural and rewatched it 15 times. Sidney Poitier’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary, weaving through the movie like a dance,” he shares. “Walter represents a generation chasing the American Dream, driven by an unwavering determination to realize its potential. His decisions lack any logical explanation or justification.” During a chat with writer and filmmaker Donna Augustin-Quinn, the artist delves into what captivates him about these films: “In many aspects, I still identify with those characters, striving for a life filled with joy and liberty.
As a devoted admirer, I found myself captivated as the series I’ve been following perfectly aligned with the publication of the artist’s self-titled monograph—an extensive exploration encompassing the last ten years of their work. The boundary between personal and public realms becomes blurred in their paintings, where they delve into themes of hybridity, abstraction, and memory, beautifully captured through intricate collage-style portraiture. This masterpiece stretches across 250 pages, adorned with 125 vibrant color plates. The book features an introduction penned by Larry Gagosian, accompanied by essays from Andrew Winer and Dawn Ades, and concludes with a captivating conversation between the artist and Sarah Elizabeth Lewis.
Preserve the innocent joy in creating that you’ve held onto throughout your life. It can be hard not to let it slip away with success. Always hold on to the excitement, pleasure, and vitality of simply crafting art.
In 2019, HypeArt interviewed Quinn after he became part of the Gagosian roster. Now, he’s sharing the spotlight with artists like Jenny Saville and John Currin at the gallery, two artists he admires greatly. When asked about advice for his past self before achieving such great success, the artist said: “Preserve the innocent joy you’ve always had in creating art. It can be easy to lose that when success comes your way. Don’t let go of the excitement, fun, and zest associated with simply making art.
You can now buy the monograph titled “Nathaniel Mary Quinn” from the Gagosian website at a price of $120 USD.
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2024-10-03 20:56