How Do You Build a Portrait?

How do you build a portrait? This was a driving question of Amir H. Fallah’s exhibition in Los Angele

Jul 6, 2021 • View in browser

How do you build a portrait? This was a driving question of Amir H. Fallah’s exhibition in Los Angeles last year, when he exhibited a series of whimsical portraits that didn’t depict the actual human subjects, but rather the objects and memories associated with them. Some of my favorite pieces published on Hyperallergic over the past year are, in a way, portraits — of artists, communities, and subcultures. A good portrait requires care and investing the time to pay close attention. It can be an act of generosity. Below is a collection of pieces that resonated with me. Some set legacies straight, allowing for more nuanced understandings of well-known figures, like James Baldwin. Others resurface ignored legacies, offering colorful portraits of people we should know better, like Rosalba Carriera, known in the 18th century as the Queen of Pastel. Then there are essays about artists who themselves are looking at portraiture in new ways, like Cara Romero, who challenges Native American stereotypes with her photographs. Maybe I am drawn to these pieces because they have offered a means to connect with people during an isolating year. They honor the full and complex people that make the art we see.—Elisa Wouk Almino, Senior Editor

“The World I Wish People Knew”: Photographer Cara Romero on Redefining Contemporary Native art This year, Romero will be installing photographs of California’s Indigenous peoples on billboards and public places throughout Los Angeles. Anne Wallentine

The Archive of the Most Prolific Black Southern Californian Architect Finds a Home During his nearly six-decade career, Paul Revere Williams built homes for celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Cary Grant. He also built affordable housing and gave back to his community. Lexis-Olivier Ray

Artist Ronnie Goodman, Who Channeled Experiences of Houselessness and Incarceration The unhoused artist died in San Francisco this August, just as his work was beginning to find new outlets in museums and scholarship. Sam Lefebvre

SPONSORED

How Do You Paint Portraiture Without a Portrait? By negating the figure, Amir H. Fallah expands the limits of portraiture to make space for multiple interpretations. Caroline Ellen Liou

The Remarkable Success Story of Rosalba Carriera, the Original “Queen of Pastel” Partly thanks to Carriera’s skill and clever marketing, pastel portraits became one of the most popular art forms of the Rococo era. Karen Chernick

Meet Virginia Jaramillo, a Pioneering Minimalist Who Fuses Cosmology and Science Fiction Despite a career spanning six decades, Jaramillo’s rigorous, original work has largely been overlooked by museums and markets — until now. Lauren Moya Ford

An Intimate Look at James Baldwin and His Rarely Discussed Suicide Attempts Harmony Holiday wants to show “the Baldwin who was baffled and befuddled and wounded and perfectly real.” Allison Conner

SPONSORED PNCA’s Graduate Programs Support Experimental, Interdisciplinary, Collaborative Creative Practices For more than 100 years, Pacific Northwest College of Art has served as a dynamic creative center for emerging artists, designers, and cultural producers. Learn more.

Honoring the Stories of Undocumented Indigenous Women in Los Angeles “Diža’ No’ole” walks a line between revealing and concealing, respecting the women’s decision to keep some things hidden. Matt Stromberg

At 96 Years Old, Richard Mayhew Is Still Painting Transportive “Mindscapes” The American painter was a member of the legendary artist group Spiral and continues to make art every day in his studio in Santa Cruz. Julie Schneider

The Fascinating Lives of Vincent van Gogh’s Three Sisters “The Van Gogh Sisters” sheds light on Vincent van Gogh’s place within the family, including a complex relationship with his sisters. Eva Recinos

Rereading Georgia O’Keeffe’s Biography in a New Light Roxana Robinson’s biography of the artist features letters from a young O’Keeffe to a lover, which offer some unexpected art historical insights. Bridget Quinn

In Our Store

Ridiculous Swan-Thing Stress Toy Is the summer heat stressing you out? Well, this freaky little desk companion lets you squeeze out the bad energy, one clenched fist at a time.Shop now

Support Independent Arts Journalism Become a Member

Did you enjoy this issue?

Update your email preferences or unsubscribe from this newsletter. If you were forwarded this newsletter and you like it, you can subscribe here. Hyperallergic Media 181 N 11th St., Suite 302, Brooklyn, NY 11211