Dorothy Hood: Remember Something Out of Time is a captivating exhibition that showcases the late painter’s work in a new light. Born in 1918 in Texas, Hood’s art has been described as a blend of contradictions, embodying both a “savage silence” and a “desperate interrogation.” Influenced by luminaries like José Clemente Orozco, Frida Kahlo, and Luis Buñuel, Hood’s unique style combines avant-garde techniques with a literary imagination.
The exhibition features a series of large-scale paintings that evoke distant landscapes, with vibrant red hues and ethereal details. Pieces like “Going Forth V” and “Brown Cloud Floating” transport viewers to otherworldly realms, oscillating between serenity and unease. Hood’s own description of her work as “landscapes of my psyche” is evident in these evocative paintings.
Disruptive patterns and mysterious imagery characterize works like “Tough Homage to Arshile Gorky” and “Blue Waters,” creating a sense of dislocation and timelessness. The exhibition also includes figurative drawings that delve into otherworldly dimensions, depicting humanoid figures and mythic beasts in a sci-fi context.
Hood’s refined collages, such as “Picasso is Everywhere” and “Advertisement for ‘Haiti’ or A Reiteration of ‘Silver Wheels,'” further explore themes of disconsolation and forgotten epochs. These works, with their subtle yet haunting aesthetic, speak to a universal human experience of pain and longing.
One standout piece, “Untitled 1050,” serves as a poignant reflection on our fragmented culture, incorporating elements like a Georgia O’Keeffe watercolor, wallpaper patterns, and scientific imagery. This multi-layered collage symbolizes a restless humanity reaching for meaning in a chaotic world.
Overall, Dorothy Hood: Remember Something Out of Time is a thought-provoking exhibition that invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of the human experience. It is on display at Hollis Taggart in Chelsea, Manhattan until April 12, curated by the gallery.
