Neil Winokur: Produce is the new exhibition presented by Janet Borden, Inc. of photographs by this master of the irreducible.
In this show Winokur uses his unique style to present portraits of fruits and vegetables. The newest iteration is in keeping with Winokur’s earlier series of hardware, dogs, and items of daily use. Each large scale color print presents an object which is photographed against a color background, thereby isolating and yet highlighting the formal properties of the subjects. Humor and beauty combine in Winokur’s deadpan presentation, making these pictures charming and fascinating. The fennel looks like it is posing, and the apple is the most apple-like apple ever.
Awaiting their usefulness as food, these items manifest a cerebral gravity. They are seductive without being sentimental. Begun during quarantine, these are luscious portraits of humble forms. Each Cibachrome print bursts with hyper-saturated color. . The straightforward pose of the object against a brilliantly monochromatic color background is Winokur’s signature technique. Centrally placed and singular, the objects are monumentalized, but not idealized.
Using gels in addition to color backdrops, Winokur charms more light and more intense hues from the materials. This gives the subjects their iconic look. Even the fungi and a blue carrot are seductively attractive. In this way, Winokur exalts each fruit and vegetable; no ear of corn could be described in a more straightforward way. These are icons of the garden.
Neil Winokur (American, b. 1945)
Neil Winokur’s work is currently included in most major museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; The Museum of Modern Art, Houston; The Jewish Museum; The Denver Art Museum; The Los Angeles County Museum of Art; and others. His monograph, Everyday Objects, was published by the Smithsonian Institution. A three-volume monograph, Neil Winokur: Portraits, Objects, Dogs was recently published by Matte Editions.
Neil Winokur: Produce
from 11 September – 20 October, 2021
Janet Borden, Inc.
91 Water Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201.
Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11-5.
