Forget that business about 65 being the new 50. It’s not (some recalcitrant body part will surely confirm that), but neither is it the 65 of our parents, who were constrained by the expectations of age, gender, culture, and ethnicity. As Boomers we broadened those parameters, and as artists we revel in the range of possibilities. We have no intention of retiring. We may have left the day job, but our studio life is as active as it has always been, perhaps more so. The fire still burns, notes Len Bellinger, "for those of us who have been at this for 40+ years and can still stand in front of a canvas with the same enthusiasm and awe."
.
.
The 65 artists over 65 whose work is featured in this post
bring decades of experience to their practice, along with impressive
exhibition histories and an ardor for artmaking which, if anything,
has increased over time. Yes, we’re dealing with ageism in one
form or another, sometimes overlaid with those equally stultifying
evergreens, sexism and racism, but that bad news is for another post.
Here we celebrate the variety of creative expression fueled by e
dedication and purpose. I've opened with large and ambitious
work to dispel any idea that growing older means scaling back.
The youngest artist in this post just squeaked in at a recent 65, while
at the upper register there are working artists in their 80s, the oldest
at 87. I'll leave it to you to try to figure out who is who.
Jacket from the Silk Road, carved and painted wood with aluminum leaf, 120 x 108 x 18 inches
Drift, 2019, tar paper and hand-dyed paper, 214 x 144 inches x 1 inch; installation at Flinn Gallery, Greenwich, Connecticut
Elizabeth Riley
Structure from Light, 2019, video stills inkjet-printed on paper, 105 x 136 x 9 inches
Structure from Light, 2019, video stills inkjet-printed on paper, 105 x 136 x 9 inches
Planetary, 2019, oil and acrylic on wood, 94 x 41.75 x 5 inches
Detail above, full view below
Quiver #18, 2019, acrylic and collage on canvas, 48 x 42 inches
Safe Space, 2019, oil on panel, 50 x 72 inches
Zig Zag Series, From Violet to Yellow Over Red, 2019, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches
P&D #104, 2019, flashe and colored pencil on paper, 22 x 22 inches
Blues for Popova, 2018, oil on panel, 26 x 24 inches
Venus Rising, 2019, acrylic paint and pastes on linen, 50 x 44 inches
Nomad I, 2019, oil and acrylic on linen, 72 x 60 inches
Pulse Field, 2019, encaustic on panel, 30 x 60 inches
Rebound, 2019, encaustic on panel, 20 x 20 inches
November Blue, 2019, acrylic on panel, 12 x 12 inches
Hit Parade, 2019, mixed media on panel, 36 x 36 inches
Study Blue, 2019, colored pencil on paper, 13 x 15 inches
Only a Shadow Remained, 2019, monotype with graphite and wax on panel, 14 x 14 inches
Artist Statement, 2019, acrylic on PVC, 16 x 12 inches
William Conger
Victor, 2019, oil on linen, 40 x 30 inches
Victor, 2019, oil on linen, 40 x 30 inches
Lift, 2019; ash and maple veneers on birch plywood, acrylic paint; 26 x 9 x 14 inches
High Chair, 2019, assembled wood, 20.5 x 14 x 2.5 inches
Intersections, 2019, oil stick on panel, 36 x 24 inches
Lightwave, 2018, pigment prints on fabric with encaustic, 15 x 22 x 5 inches
Installation view of Silk Road paintings at ODETTA, New York City, 2019,
each encaustic on panel, 18 x 18 inches
Installation view of solo at Ryan James Fine Arts, Seattle; left: Pyramid Steppes, 25 x 59; right: Square Not a Square, 35 x 35 inches; both 2019, encaustic on panel
Close in Value, 2018; wood, clay, paint; 4.75 x 6.25 x 3.25 inches
All of Us, 2017-19; limestone, granite, marble, sandstone; 94 x 3 x 42 inches
Commissioned by NJ Transit for Jersey Avenue Light Rail station, Jersey City
Ticaboo, 2019, encaustic and mixed media, 30 x 50 inches
Untitled, mixed media on styrofoam, 14 x 14 inches
Blackbook, 2019, ink on polyester film, 12 x 18 inches
Tantra III, 2018,acrylic on canvas, 8 x 16 inches
Poetry of the Square, 2017, metalpoint (silver, copper, gold) on black-gessoed panel, 24 x 24 x 2 inches
Migration, 2019, acrylic on birch with basswood framework, 30 x 30 x 8 inches
Chunk Chain A5, 2019, oil on Mylar, 14 x 14 inches
Delicate Crossroad, 2019; image transfer, pastel, encaustic on panel, 12 x 12 inches
Connie Saddlemire
Prayer, 2019, assembled solarplate monoprint, 21 x 21 inches
Prayer, 2019, assembled solarplate monoprint, 21 x 21 inches
Untitled, 2019, encaustic over plaster, 20 x 15 x 5 inches
Yvette Cohen
Rock Stack Series II #4, 2019; acrylic, graphite, and wooden dowels on shaped canvas; 26.5 x 29 inches
Rock Stack Series II #4, 2019; acrylic, graphite, and wooden dowels on shaped canvas; 26.5 x 29 inches
Overlays, 2019, oil and cold wax on panel, 48 x 36 inches
ttm.marga, 2016-2019; oil, acrylic, staples, glue, and fabric on canvas mounted on wood; 81 x 63 inches
Window II, 2019, oil and mixed media on panel, 24 x 18 inches
First Thaw, 2019, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 16 x 12
Behind Closed Eyes 20, 2019, oil on panel, 42 x 28 inches
Yellow Triangles, 2019, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches
G, 2018, oil on canvas, 14 x 7 inches
Garden of Eden, 2019, oil on linen, 48 x 36 inches
Far Flung, 2019, oil on linen, 38 x 54 inches
Stephanie Brody-Lederman
Dancing Girl with Big Crown, 2019; acrylic, oil, graphite on Arches; 21 x 10 inches
Untitled, 2019, acrylic and black stone on paper, 50 x 38 inches
Pearl Tree (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow), 2019; mixed media wall sculpture with plant material, pearl necklaces, waxed cord, and encaustic; 47 x 42.5 x 9 inches
Colorado 1, 2019; oil, cold wax, found objects; 12 x 12 inches
Dothead 1, 2019, glazed ceramics, 9 x 4 x 5 inches
Unravelling, 2019, mixed media, 84 inches high
Songs from a Tree, 2018, pencil and watercolor on paper, 12 x 13 inches
Installation view of New Land series, 2015-2017, gouache and mixed media on paper, each 8.5 x 12 inches. The series, which considers the challenges of dislocation and immigration, was shown at the Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster, New Jersey, 2019. Some 288 pictures were gridded on six walls.
Closeup of one work below: Something Strange Happened in the New Land
Demonology, 2018, oil on linen, 30 x 24 inches
Essential Survivor, 2019, tapestry and mixed media, 36 x 48 inches
Seeking Solace, No. 1, 2019, pigment ink on kozo with encaustic, 36 x 34 inches
Time and Light and Sounds, 2019; oil, wax, charcoal, graphite on canvas, 77 x 141 inches
Rain in the City, after Hopper, 2019, photo-montage archival pigment print, 22 x 30 inches
Janis, inflatable sewn and painted nylon with internal LED lighting, 120 x 60 inches; here staged in front of the Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona, one of a series of unauthorized placements by the artist; 2019
Bonus!
The Title, 2019, mixed media, 25 x 45 inches
Notes
You may have noticed a variation in the size of the images. While it's impossible to depict scale without a context, I tried to distinguish between "small" and "larger" by showing works 12 inches or under in a slightly smaller format. But don't be fooled; those smaller works can hold their own quite tenaciously.
You may be wondering how these artists were selected out of the (tens of) thousands of working artists over 65. I posted a call on Facebook, which means it was seen only by my friends on that social media platform. I limited the call in this way so as not to be inundated with submissions. I derive great satisfaction from maintaining this blog—and particularly by featuring my contemporaries who have worked so hard for so many years—but I needed to keep the submissions at a manageable number (about 150), well aware that I would be unable to include some very good work by some very good friends.
Once the deadline passed I began the difficult process of selection. Of course it was subjective—if you follow this blog, you know I’m partial to the color and geometry of abstraction—but I made every effort to be aesthetically inclusive. As I began to curate the selections I decided to go with the flow, which is to say allowing a painting, work on paper, sculpture, or photograph to assume its place in the queue based on its visual or conceptual relationship to the works before and after it. Crafting the flow is my favorite part of the process; it's also the most difficult, because it's the point at which work that had survived all the preliminary cuts may get eliminated. Apologies in advance to the many wonderful artists whose work you won't see here.
For those artists whose work is shown, click onto their names for a link to their websites.
. . . . . . . . . .
. An Aggregate of Forces: 60 Women Artists Over 60
. Armory Week 2017
Wonderful! Includes many of my favorite artists, some of whom are friends
ReplyDeleteEpic! I've never been afraid of aging, but this exhibition makes the prospect even more thrilling.
ReplyDeleteGreat selection of artists!
ReplyDeleteYou are all an inspiration to me! 65 is on the not-too-distant horizon and I hope to be working hard as all these amazing artists, many of whom I count as good friends.
ReplyDeletethanks again Joanne for making this amazing blog. You have a great roving eye and have included many artists I did not know. I am delighted to be among them.
ReplyDeleteExcellent choices! It was such a delight to scroll through wonderful work in all its difference. And, thanks for including my work.
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolutely wonderful selection of work. I am just being introduced to some of these artists, while getting to see some new work by others I know. Thank you for the inspiration, Joanne.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiration & discoveries! Great to begin with Lisa Hoke's brilliantly colored, big-scale wall work - everything that follows, from your 64 thoughtfully selected & distinct "voices" - is comparably eloquent. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful curation Joanne. Thank you for putting these artists together. I really enjoyed seeing some of my favorite contemporary artists and discovering some new artists. Looking forward to 70 over 70.
ReplyDeleteA visual feast! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful compilation of art. So fun to see it all. I appreciate the choice ofvworkbb
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous collection of works!
ReplyDeleteThough not quite 65 yet, I was truly delighted to see this stellar selection of paintings by these talented artists. I have followed many of them over the years and it really is inspiring and understandable that the creative juices continue to fly at a faster and more intense pace. I see that in my own practice and am more motivated and engaged than ever before. So nice to see this compilation recognized here. Carry on!! Iris Kufert-Rivo
ReplyDeleteMost of the artists above are doing abstract work. I am sure your could find 65 artist over 65 who do representational work.
ReplyDeletePerhaps YOU could do such a post.
DeleteI agree.. but that's a curator's choice.. and the abstract world was prevalent in their lives when they started painting....
DeleteThank you, I needed that.
ReplyDeleteReally impressive collection of artwork & artists. Happy to start the year off with this inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWonderful group.
ReplyDeleteWonderful group, Joanne.
ReplyDeleteThank you for including my work Joanne! Great way to start the new year. A lot of amazing work to see here.
ReplyDeleteJoanne, I appreciate your generous spirit and art writing. I'm thrilled and inspired to see my work in this collection! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful assembling of our strong, elder voices in the visual form. Many thanks for your efforts in putting this together!
ReplyDeleteexcellent website
ReplyDeleteWonderfully inspiring and energizing to all of us "of a certain age" who have been working away and now look forward to another year of exploration & discovery in our Studios! Thank you!'
ReplyDeleteMaybe next year
ReplyDeleteWonderful work. Congratulations to all.
ReplyDeleteGratefully I thank you, Joanne, for including my work with this august company of dedicated people to the pursuit of making a contribution to the visual language shared by all cultures.
ReplyDeleteYour survey of 65/65 attests to the fact that passion, practice, and product are not determined by chronology or to youthful ambition or the vicissitudes of the marketplace.
What an amazing body of work, I'm so impressed, makes me want to curate again. I'm 72, it's been years since I had a job in the Arts, I sure do miss it.
ReplyDeleteJoanne what a great selection of work...so impressed by all this great work and by you curating all. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased to be represented here with such wonderful artists! Hats off for all the thoughtful work you put in for these choices and the flow. Thank you again!
ReplyDeleteWonderful flow! Thanks for all your effort (once again).
ReplyDeleteWonderful art & artists. Inspirational. Thank You.
ReplyDeleteThis is so inspiring and uplifting! Thanks.
ReplyDeletewonderful. As an over 65 artist, I love seeing this collection. congratulations.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great scroll through amazing work. Thanks Joanne! Here's to many years ahead.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to be a part of this novel exhibition platform. What a pleasure to scroll through this selection of artists; many are friends but as significantly, wonderful introduction to many new voices. Thanks Joanne!
ReplyDeleteExcellent curation, Joanne, and I'm honored to be among these amazing artists of different disciplines. Many thanks!
ReplyDelete(Not sure if my earlier comment went through)
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Joanne, for this honor of being included among such an amazingly talented group. Your curation is brilliant, and I also thank you for introducing me to so many new (to me) artists.
Wonderful Group. Congrats to all the 65 over 65's!
ReplyDeleteWonderful group!
ReplyDeleteHaving just turned 65 myself, I'm glad to have seen this post.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to be in this beautiful show! Many friends have enjoyed seeing it, and have delightedly shared it. Thank you! Joan Stuart Ross
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Thanks Joanne. What a fantastic group of artists. I am so happy to be in such good company.
ReplyDeleteSuch an impressive showing, in work and curation. Inspiring sequence, Joanne!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant selection of works. Some of my favorite artists. Thank you Joanne.
ReplyDeleteThis is excellent. I see many friends on there and artists new to me as well. How can I subscribe to your blog?
ReplyDeleteThank you for this respectful celebration of aging. A beautifully curated show .
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing this beautiful, stimulating, inspiring collection of art..wish I had known about it. I'm 83 and still firing my engines. I think my hybrid painting- sculptures on three dimensional mylar are waiting to be discovered.
ReplyDeleteHilda Green Demsky
I don't know anybody in this selection but it makes me feel happy/relieved that we are all in the same/strange boat and keep trying to do interesting/personal work. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteIt is always inspiring to see good strong art from any age, at any age. Thanks for this scroll of visual solidity.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Joanne, thrilled to be included!
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring gallery of work you have assembled, Joanne! Many known to me, along with some I've not heard of and am glad to know about!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully inspiring lineup of work, Joanne! Glad to see many I am familiar with, as well as some fantastic work by artists I wasn't aware of!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sign of devotion in your eye and curation. Great to see familiar and unfamiliar artists brought together for their dedication and vision.
ReplyDeleteReally respect your dedication and great eye for curating this fine group. Many familiar and unfamiliar to explore.
ReplyDeleteCarol Diamond
fabulous and rich collection of work
ReplyDeleteWonderfully inspirational!!
ReplyDeleteProof that art keeps you forever young! I am also a big admirer of many of the artists on your list. Thanks for organizing such a well curated list.
ReplyDelete- Adam
https://theartsandeducation.wordpress.com/
One amazing piece after another!
ReplyDelete