Petra Cortright, bollywood stars nude_creatine Pyruvate (still), 2017. Digital video. Courtesy: the artist and Starkwhite, Auckland.

Slippery Painting presents the work of four painters from the United States, Whitney Bedford, Petra Cortright, Kirsten Everberg and Judy Ledgerwood. Together this group of artists seeks to alter our concept of what a painting can be. Although we have come to know and appreciate the ‘expanded field’ of sculpture, and it is also true that contemporary painters have questioned and challenged the boundaries of their art form, the discipline of painting has generally remained faithful to the techniques and presentations established centuries ago.

As American critic and art historian Barry Schwabsky comments in his introductory essay to the influential survey of contemporary painting Vitamin P2, “Before there was art, there was painting.” Although their individual practices are distinct, these four artists shift our understanding of painting, exploring the unfolding of relationships between art and technology, historical and contemporary politics, and the slippery nature of perception. In their hands, painting’s definition becomes intriguingly unstable.

Presented by Starkwhite in partnership with 1301PE, Los Angeles.

The gallery is open and adhering to social distancing measures.

The exhibition can also be viewed online. View the exhibition here.

In line with restrictions on public gatherings during alert level 2, there will be no formal opening for the exhibition, but a programme of events will be announced when restrictions are lifted.