A crowd made up of celebrities, artists and art fans turned out for the Opening Reception of Eric Fischl's latest solo show at Skarstedt, held at its Chelsea gallery in New York City. "Eric Fischl: Late America" exhibits a series of new paintings that return to Fischl's exploration of contemporary life, social malaise and moral ambivalence set in suburban scenes. All the paintings on view present figurative narratives taking place around a swimming pool and explore the dimmer side of suburbia and America.
His last solo show at Skarstedt, "Rift Raft," presented paintings examining art fair culture which leapt from scenes Fischl witnessed at art fairs. Click here to read a review for Hamptons Art Hub for the show presented May 3 to June 25, 2016. "Rift Raft" was Fischl's first solo show with Skarstedt after leaving Mary Boone Gallery.
For "Late America," Fischl entwines the personal with the political in his figurative work on oversized canvases. Painted following the presidential election, the works are a "...response to a moment marked by bewilderment and incomprehension," according to the exhibition announcement.
But to limit the interpretation to politics misses the deep well Fischl draws from. His work mines human experiences which are less than peaceful. The paintings are infused with tension stemming from expectations rising from lifestyles and relationships that should lead to bucolic existences but, instead, fall short and may not be what they seem.
"Eric Fischl: Late America" continues on view through June 24, 2017.
Continue scrolling to see some of the people who attended the Opening Reception to celebrate the first look at the new art.
.
Photographer Ralph Gibson, Eric Fischl, Phyllis Hollis. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
At the Opening of "Eric Fischl: Late America" at Skarstedt. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
John McInroe, Patti Smyth, artist Bryan Hunt. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
Actors Victor Garber and Ron Rifkin with artist Margaret Garrett. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
Steve Martin. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
Martin Short, Steve Martin, Paul Schaefer. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
Anne Stringfield. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
At the Opening of "Eric Fischl: Late America" at Skarstedt. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
April Gornik, Margaret Garrett, Julia Garrett. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
Artist Arcmanoro S. Niles and Phyllis Hollis. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
At the Opening of "Eric Fischl: Late America" at Skarstedt. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers, and actress Jennifer Carpenter. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
Kit Taipan and Nicole Miller. Photo by Tom Kochie.
.
_________________________________
BASIC FACTS: "Eric Fischl: Late America" is on view through June 24, 2017. The exhibition is presented at Skarstedt's Chelsea gallery, located at 550 West 21st Street, New York, NY 10011. www.skarstedt.com.
_________________________________
Copyright 2017 Hamptons Art Hub LLC. All rights reserved.