Chris Ofili: Devil's Pie, at DAVID ZWIRNER

James Kalm pops in for a tour of the debut exhibition of Chris Ofili at Zwirner. With a renewed interest in straight painting, Ofili's new works have eschewed the bejeweled and rich brocade like surfaces that that garnered it much attention. The new work evolves from a painterly approach that begs a dialog with masters of thin translucent color like Matisse, Avery, and Rothko. By combining the ephemeral color planes with images derived from biblical and folktale sources Ofili seeks a precarious balances between his personal heritages with that of contemporary painting. Major bronze sculpture reveals the artist's sensuous grasp of volumetric form and a decorative nature that extends into the third dimension. Critical comments are contributed by Stephanie Buhmann one of New York's most insightful young art critics.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• James
• Kalm
• Chris
• Ofili
• David
• Zwirner
• Chelsea
• gallery
• opening
• painting
• drawing
• sculpture
• prints
• Heneri
• Matisse
• Rothko
• New

[jameskalm]

Richard Prince is a positive, JK

[jameskalm]

Hey Martin,

I thought I saw some Bob Thompson and William H. Johnson, also a whole lot of other painters from the eighties who I won't mention, not the least of which might be Clemente. I'm glad Stephanie gave her honest opinion, the "Kalm Report" ain't about commercial hype. Thanks JK

[chandru1103]

disagree with the critic, as well.

[ChiltonFowler2001]

Didn't quite recognize him at 5:25? Something tells me the New York artworld is just as political as an East Texas high school.

[lazzile]

James I would much rather watch your short videos covering the art scene than spend my time looking @ some of the programs being covered on the "ovation" channel....

[mungbean22]

Absolutely agree with Stephanie..... good grief !! He has wasted good paint and canvas and has taken up vauable galley time and space.. HIDEOUS !! nearly 3 years on I hope he has rethought his career choice.

[MrWowforever]

@almanacofsleep i wish that show would come to NYC, its a shame. :)

[almanacofsleep]

I've been to see the retrospective at the Tate and seen the painting featured in this video and I've gotta disagree with that stephanie lady, his new painting aren't bad, just very difficult...no instant gratification.

[PallePoplock]

"Dung that" - nice! :-)

[PallePoplock]

South Africa would probably be cool..but West Africa a bit more relevant to Ofili's works.

[Glowluz]

He is an awesome artist!

this message is to the critic...

please! go back and study art

history and also study Chris Ofili symbolic

message.Also you may consider some traveling

to South Africa...

[Glowluz]

please take some art classes! and learn about Ofili's symbolic message.