Spotlight Artist

Eleanor Swordy

Northeast
Artist profile photo

First Time

Two abstract red figures relax on a bright beach with birds flying overhead.

oil on canvas

Just Sleeping

Person with blond hair lounges shirtless on a couch, lamp glows, art and album on table.

oil on canvas

How It Was

Person with wide straw hat painting outdoors at a table, scenic landscape in background.

oil on canvas

Featured in New American Paintings1 / 3

Artist Statement

My paintings depict my surroundings once they have been processed by my imagination and translated into paint. I choose the subject matter with the quality of this medium in mind, so that what I convey straddles illusionistic space and a coagulated world. The languid nature of the images reinforces this connection by drawing attention to the physical properties of the material. I pose the represented figures to emphasize allegorical gesture and shift the narrative focus toward symbolism. Nodding to the historical precedent of paintings behaving as relics of the time in which they were made, this work develops a fresh mythology for the modern word.

Artist's Additional works

Works shared by the artist outside of their featured New American Paintings selections

Featured artwork
Featured artwork

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