
Untitled
1990
This untitled work by Jamie Nares from 1990 immediately captivates with its vibrant interplay of warm crimson and earthy tones. Rendered in oil on waxed paper, the piece features a dynamic composition built upon horizontal bands of rich red, which establish a layered, almost pulsating backdrop. Overlaid upon this field are two powerful, undulating forms, lighter in hue, that ascend from the lower edge and diverge upwards, creating a sense of organic growth or vital energy. The visible brushstrokes within these central elements lend them a sculpted, almost three-dimensional quality, contrasting with the flatter, yet still textured, background. The unique surface of the waxed paper allows for a distinctive luminosity and a subtle bleeding of colors, enhancing the work's ethereal yet grounded presence. Nares’s masterful command of paint is evident in the nuanced application, where varying opacities and densities create a compelling visual rhythm. The horizontal striations suggest a foundational structure, perhaps a landscape or an underlying current, while the sweeping, gestural forms introduce a counterpoint of fluid motion. This tension between structure and spontaneity is a hallmark of Nares's approach, where process and material are intrinsically linked to the final aesthetic experience. The choice of waxed paper as a support is crucial, allowing the oil to sit and spread in particular ways, contributing to the work's distinctive sheen and the delicate interplay of light and shadow within the painted surface. Each brushstroke, deliberate yet expressive, contributes to a larger narrative of movement and transformation, inviting prolonged contemplation. As a significant example from 1990, this untitled piece embodies Jamie Nares’s ongoing exploration of time, gesture, and the physicality of paint. Known for her powerful, often singular brushstrokes and her parallel work in film, Nares consistently pushes the boundaries of abstraction, creating works that are both deeply personal and universally resonant. This particular composition, with its striking color palette and evocative forms, stands as a testament to her unique vision and technical prowess. It offers collectors an opportunity to acquire a compelling work that reflects a pivotal moment in the artist's career, showcasing her distinctive contribution to contemporary painting and her enduring fascination with the expressive potential of material.
- Medium
- Oil on waxed paper
- Location
- Wright, Chicago, United States
🔨 Auction Lot
Wright: 20|21 Art: The Chicago Edition (July 2022)
July 14, 2022
Estimate: $2,000 to $3,000
Lot 259
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