Torso (2011)
MK Gallery rarely holds figurative painting exhibitions, so
lovers of oil on canvas and realism are in for a real treat with its latest
exhibition. Ellen Altfest (born New
York, 1970) is an incredibly gifted painter and looking at her twenty-t wo
paintings featured in this, her first solo exhibition in a UK public gallery (a
curatorial practice which MK Gallery seems to be basing many of its exhibitions
on), it is reassuring to see that such talent and meticulous precision in
painting can still successfully manifest itself in a contemporary way. You can at once see the influence of Lucien
Freud and Stanley Spencer on Altfest’s work and an aura of detached, yet
relentless observation pervade the four galleries.
Given that Altfest always paints to actual size, her early canvases
of woodland trees and rocks painted plein-air offer a glimpse into the artist’s
enormous capabilities and commitment. Each
fluttering leaf, twisted branch or gnarled bark is consummately rendered and
offers a visual feast whether observed from a distance or at close
quarters. The woodland seems to move as
you view at different angles.
The Tree (2000)
As her practice developed, Altfest began to bring the
outdoors inside, juxtaposing natural objects such as logs, gourds and
tumbleweed against the paint-splattered floorboards of her New York studio. I stood dumbfounded at the intricacy of Tumbleweed (2005). The delicacy and intricacy of the brush
strokes make an ugly subject truly beautiful.
Gourds (2006-2007) similarly
turned a domestic vegetable into an object of exquisite beauty, bringing the tradition
of seventeenth century Dutch still life
painting into the twenty-first century.
Tumbleweed (2005)
Gourds (2006-2007)
Altfest is best known for her small and detailed paintings
of male body parts. Hairy hands, armpits
and arses are given as much artistic care and attention as the rest of her
ouvre, but it is with the depiction of human flesh in which the artist truly excels. Every blemish, wrinkle and vein can be
clearly seen. She wields her brush so
masterly that in a piece such as Armpit
(2011) you can feel the veins pulsating and in Three Parts (2014-15) the woven cloth appears to gently sway as you
walk pass the canvas.
The Hand (2011)
It is almost impossible to put into words the
experience of looking at Altfest’s work.
Her paintings capture nuances in light, texture and tone so skilfully and
so beautiful, viewing her work is almost a mystical experience. I was not expecting to be moved quite as much
as I was and made repeated laps around the galleries as I couldn’t quite
believe the level of artistry on display.
It reminded me of the first time I saw Jenny Saville’s paintings – truly
electrifying. Experiencing Altfest’s
work is one that really should not be missed.
Armpit (2011)
