I had just returned from seeing a great group of shows in NYC, and always have a bit of an adjustment period settling into my studio, getting going on my own work, and figuring out how I’m going to share all that I had just seen with you, my dear readers. I saw that the Frye Art Museum in Seattle was having the first museum survey of Katherine Bradford’s work the next week. I couldn’t believe it!
The last truly amazing art show I had seen at the Frye was the Henry Darger show when I first arrived in Seattle in 2006. I signed up immediately for opening night of Flying Woman: The Paintings of Katherine Bradford. It opened last night; it is fabulous! The canvases are big, bold, and bright, and the work fills the space just perfectly.
Oil on canvas drop cloth
Portland Museum of Art
I have followed Bradford’s work since 2016 when I first saw her work in Miami. I’ve written three blog posts about her, including her subway tile installation. I continue to marvel at how prolific and fabulous she is.
Oil on canvas
Courtesy of the artist
Acrylic on canvas
Jorge M. Perez Collection, Miami
Oil on canvas
Collection of the Farnsworth Art Museum
Oil on canvas
Private collection
Oil on canvas
Adam Beckerman and Beth Lee
Oil on canvas
Worcester Art Museum
Acrylic on wood
Courtesy of artist
Acrylic on canvas and wood
Collection of Paul Hertz and James Rauchman
Oil on canvas
Erica J. Hickey
Acrylic on canvas
Collection of the Norman Museum of Contemporary Art, Johnson Country Community College, Overland Park, Kansas
Acrylic on canvas
Collection of Sarah Handler and Vinny Dotolo
Right: Stripe People with Arms, 2018
Acrylic on canvas
Courtesy Rubell Museum, Miami
Oil on canvas
Collection of Peggy and Danny Camden, Los Angeles
Acrylic on canvas
Private collection
Acrylic on canvas
Courtesy of Stephanie and John Connaughton
It was so exciting to see a crowd out in Seattle seeing this amazing work. I was really on the lookout to see if Bradford was there, but never saw her. I could pick her out of a crowd anywhere. Then later last night, an artist I follow in Seattle posted a photo of himself together with her at the show. I’m super jealous. I would have definitely told her how much I’ve adored her work for years, invited her for dinner, asked if she needed a new BFF. Just kidding, but I would definitely have told her that I am one of her greatest fans.
Acrylic on canvas
Collection of Gina and Jacky Aizenman
Acrylic on canvas
Joseph M. Cohen Family Collection, New York
Acrylic on canvas
Private collection, Miami
Acrylic on canvas
Hall Collection, Courtesy Hall Art Foundation
Acrylic on canvas
The Collection of Edwin Oostmeijer
Acrylic on canvas
The Collection of Edwin Oostmeijer
Acrylic on canvas
Levy-Westhead Family Collection
Acrylic on canvas
Collection of Michael M. Cowman and Kevin Fink, Dallas
Acrylic on canvas
Courtesy of Brian and Karen Conway
Acrylic on canvas
Frye Art Museum
Acrylic on canvas
Bowdoin College Museum of Art
Acrylic on canvas
Courtesy of the Silverstein Family
I had seen a few of these paintings before at Bradford’s amazing Mother’s Paintings show at Canada NYC. It’s exciting to see them again, and find out who purchased them. You can read my blog post about that show here.
Acrylic on canvas
Private collection, New York
I came home with the show catalog to add to my ever growing art book collection. If you live in the PNW, you must come see this show. I’ll be going back multiple times. It runs through May 14, 2023.