EYE TO I
Place and Process Self-portraits offer latitude to experiment
M
ANY ARTISTS APPROACH SELF-PORTRAITURE AT SOME POINT IN THEIR
CAREERS. Experimenting
with the concepts of identity and place, as well as the process of creation. Collecting many self-portraits in different mediums in one exhibition shines a light on how self-perception and self-reflection encompasses the full artist practice. Eye to I: Self Portraits from 1900 to Today from the National Portrait Gallery, originally scheduled for last summer, was pushed back due to Covid closures and restrictions. One important work had to ship by courier and could not travel; another was committed to another exhibition. When Albuquerque Museum curators learned two works would not be part of the rescheduled exhibition, it gave them the opportunity to add New Mexico-based artists to the exhibition. Museum curators chose three selfportraits from the permanent collection. Although vastly different in style, they share the view of the artists living and working in a specific place—in this case, New Mexico’s desert landscapes. Mixed media artist Paula Wilson, who lives in Carrizozo, came to New 4
SUMMER 2021
Art. History. People.
Paula Wilson, In the Desert: Mooning, 2016, collagraph on muslin from two plates, handprinted collage on muslin and inkjet collage on silk on canvas and wood, Albuquerque Museum, promised gift of Nancy Zastudil and the artist
