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Amy Sillman: Rock Paper Scissors

Past exhibition
30 October - 23 December 2021
  • Overview
  • Works
  • Installation Views
  • Press
Overview
Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors

It’s all fun and games. It’s elbows out. This and that. Take no prisoners. Us versus them. The good, the bad and the ugly. You win some, you lose some. Rock, paper, scissors.

 

Amy Sillman’s artwork is a manifestation of struggle—she enacts and investigates the friction between materials and forms. So it’s pattern versus gesture, beautiful versus ugly, drawing versus painting, round versus straight, chromatic versus organic, figure versus ground, legible versus illegible, adding versus removing, breaking versus restoring.  And all of it with feeling. A sense of the strange pleasure in persistence is palpable. A string of (somewhat trite) one-liners seems apt to begin to write about Amy Sillman’s practice, and the paintings and drawings she’s exhibiting in Rock Paper Scissors at Capitain Petzel, in part because the prospect of filtering these works into words feels perilously reductive, and the truism is at least emphatically so. On the other hand, perhaps they might introduce the sense of ineluctable truth—a kind of essential insight—that imbues Sillman’s painting. Encountering her work, I’m often confronted with the overwhelming realization, this is what it’s like to be a body in the world! This is what it’s like to be a person! Because it’s basically a jostle that’s awkward and frustrating and difficult and brimming with unexpected delight and fragile joy.

 

Sillman’s fragmented compositions get at all this in their shifts between stability and instability: a continuous interplay that is their primary structuring principle. The paintings in this exhibition emerged from an operating procedure—a series of steps that Sillman delineated as an experiment in clarifying the tensions that constitute her work in a set sequence. The rules are as follows: two layers of finding a body or a shape, two layers focused on color, two layers of completely ruining it and two layers of pattern. Steps nine and ten: wild cards; in total: ten layers and no more, save a bit of tinkering. Despite (or perhaps because of this system), the paintings are strikingly diverse. They also build upon ideas of the decorative and the domestic that have been focal points in Sillman’s recent work, developing from an ongoing series of flower paintings started in New York’s first pandemic lockdown last year. While Sillman’s work remains a campy, resistant, ardent response to gestural abstraction—take the painting South Street, 2021, for instance—this recent body of work reveals an increasing preoccupation with pattern and the possibilities that lie in interrupting it. Erupting it, even. Wrestling forms (the figure to the pattern’s ground) into it or from it.

 

Sussing out how to situate Sillman’s painting and drawings in language—asking, what do words have to do with it? —also broaches the linguistic logic that undergirds her oeuvre. She doesn’t consider her work painting, but rather drawing that aspires to the conditions of film or poetry. An astute writer and maker of zines, Sillman conceived of this exhibition as a syntactic space: imagine the walls as sentences, paintings punctuated by drawings mounted on board, as the tussling between these visual languages becomes a kind of grammar. How might a painting be informed by the sensation of turning a page? Or draw upon the motion of montage? This is, of course, no riddle that spells out what Sillman’s works are doing, as they remain, above all, unresolved. And it’s invigorating—and somehow urgent—to hold on to a space for painting that is unknown. Sillman culls the medium’s long history for a quality of drift and tosses her hat wholeheartedly in abstraction’s ring. A stance against the overly determined and clarified is a posture vis a vis painting (the last decade’s barrage of tightly-wound figuration comes to mind), but it’s also a subtler stance in favor of upheaval. A mode, perhaps, of imagining seismic shifts. And a willingness, as well as an invitation, to pay attention to what it’s like to be unmoored in the meantime.

 

— Camila McHugh

 

 Download Exhibition Dossier here

 

Visit the artist's website for an overview of her writings, zines, films and more.

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Works
  • Amy Sillman Friend, 2021 Oil and acrylic on canvas Signed, dated, and titled on verso 182.9 x 165.1 cm 72 x 65 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Friend, 2021
    Oil and acrylic on canvas
    Signed, dated, and titled on verso
    182.9 x 165.1 cm
    72 x 65 inches
  • Amy Sillman Sad Meets Mad, 2021 Oil and acrylic on canvas Signed, dated, and titled on verso 182.9 x 165.1 cm 72 x 65 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Sad Meets Mad, 2021
    Oil and acrylic on canvas
    Signed, dated, and titled on verso
    182.9 x 165.1 cm
    72 x 65 inches
  • Amy Sillman South Street, 2021 Oil and acrylic on canvas Signed, dated, and titled verso 182.9 x 152.4 cm 72 x 60 inches
    Amy Sillman
    South Street, 2021
    Oil and acrylic on canvas
    Signed, dated, and titled verso
    182.9 x 152.4 cm
    72 x 60 inches
  • Amy Sillman Magic Fountain, 2021 Oil and acrylic on canvas Signed, dated, and titled verso 182.9 x 152.4 cm 72 x 60 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Magic Fountain, 2021
    Oil and acrylic on canvas
    Signed, dated, and titled verso
    182.9 x 152.4 cm
    72 x 60 inches
  • Amy Sillman Anchor, 2021 Oil and acrylic on canvas Signed, dated, and titled verso 182.9 x 165.1 cm 72 x 65 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Anchor, 2021
    Oil and acrylic on canvas
    Signed, dated, and titled verso
    182.9 x 165.1 cm
    72 x 65 inches
  • Amy Sillman Elbow Room, 2021 Oil and acrylic on canvas Signed, dated, and titled verso 182.9 x 165.1 cm 72 x 65 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Elbow Room, 2021
    Oil and acrylic on canvas
    Signed, dated, and titled verso
    182.9 x 165.1 cm
    72 x 65 inches
  • Amy Sillman Lunchbox, 2021 Oil and acrylic on canvas Signed, dated, and titled verso 182.9 x 165.1 cm 72 x 65 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Lunchbox, 2021
    Oil and acrylic on canvas
    Signed, dated, and titled verso
    182.9 x 165.1 cm
    72 x 65 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso 75.9 x 57.8 cm / 29.9 x 22.7 inches Framed dimensions: 81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso
    75.9 x 57.8 cm / 29.9 x 22.7 inches
    Framed dimensions:
    81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso 76.5 x 58.1 cm / 30.1 x 22.9 inches Framed dimensions: 81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso
    76.5 x 58.1 cm / 30.1 x 22.9 inches
    Framed dimensions:
    81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso 76.2 x 57.5 cm / 30 x 22.6 inches Framed dimensions: 81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso
    76.2 x 57.5 cm / 30 x 22.6 inches
    Framed dimensions:
    81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso 76.8 x 57.5 cm / 30.2 x 22.6 inches Framed dimensions: 81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso
    76.8 x 57.5 cm / 30.2 x 22.6 inches
    Framed dimensions:
    81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso 75.9 x 57.8 cm / 29.9 x 22.8 inches Framed dimensions: 81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed, dated and titled verso
    75.9 x 57.8 cm / 29.9 x 22.8 inches
    Framed dimensions:
    81 x 62 cm / 31.9 x 24.4 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Mounted on wood Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso 76.5 x 57.5 cm 30.1 x 22.6 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Mounted on wood
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso
    76.5 x 57.5 cm
    30.1 x 22.6 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Mounted on wood Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso 76.5 x 57.5 cm 30.1 x 22.6 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Mounted on wood
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso
    76.5 x 57.5 cm
    30.1 x 22.6 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Mounted on wood Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso 76.5 x 57.5 cm 30.1 x 22.6 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Mounted on wood
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso
    76.5 x 57.5 cm
    30.1 x 22.6 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Mounted on wood Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso 76.5 x 57.5 cm 30.1 x 22.6 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Mounted on wood
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso
    76.5 x 57.5 cm
    30.1 x 22.6 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Mounted on wood Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso 76.5 x 57.5 cm 30.1 x 22.6 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Mounted on wood
    Initialed, dated and titled recto; signed and dated verso
    76.5 x 57.5 cm
    30.1 x 22.6 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Mounted on wood Initialed and dated recto 76.2 x 57.2 cm 30 x 22.5 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Mounted on wood
    Initialed and dated recto
    76.2 x 57.2 cm
    30 x 22.5 inches
  • Amy Sillman Untitled, 2021 Acrylic and ink on paper Mounted on wood Initialed and dated recto Paper dimensions: 76.2 x 57.2 cm / 30 x 22.5 inches Framed dimensions: 79.2 x 66.6 cm / 31.2 x 26.2 inches
    Amy Sillman
    Untitled, 2021
    Acrylic and ink on paper
    Mounted on wood
    Initialed and dated recto
    Paper dimensions:
    76.2 x 57.2 cm / 30 x 22.5 inches
    Framed dimensions:
    79.2 x 66.6 cm / 31.2 x 26.2 inches
Close
Installation Views
  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

Close
Press
  • Ph.: Calla Kessler

    Monopol: "Hinschauen auf eigene Gefahr" (AMY SILLMAN)

    Jens Hinrichsen, December 6, 2021
    This link opens in a new tab.
  • Amy Sillman, Lunchbox, 2021

    Welt am Sonntag: "Wie Amy Sillman die Malerei emanzipiert hat"

    Gesine Borcherdt, November 28, 2021
    This link opens in a new tab.
  • Installation view, Amy Sillman, Rock Paper Scissors, Capitain Petzel, Berlin, 2021. Ph: Gunter Lepkowski

    Taz: "Unbekannten Formen auf der Spur" (Amy Sillman)

    Brigitte Werneburg, November 20, 2021
    This link opens in a new tab.

Related artist

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    Amy Sillman

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