Christina Quarles, born in 1985 in Chicago, Illinois, is a leading figure in contemporary art known for her powerful exploration of identity, gender, and queerness through her gestural, abstract paintings. Her work delves deeply into the complexities of personal and societal perceptions, making her one of the most influential artists of her generation.
Early Life and Influences
Quarles moved to Los Angeles with her mother after her parents' divorce in 1991. Growing up as an only child, she began drawing at a young age and took her first life drawing class at 12. Her high school teacher, Joseph Gatto, significantly influenced her technique, teaching her the importance of muscle memory and the fluidity of the human form. These early experiences laid the groundwork for her distinctive style.
Education and Early Career
Quarles attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where she met her future spouse, Alyssa Polk. She earned a BA in art and philosophy from Hampshire College in 2007 and an MFA in painting from Yale School of Art in 2016. She also completed a residency at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.
Artistic Style and Themes
Quarles' paintings are characterized by their abstract, gestural style and the depiction of distorted, intertwined human forms. Her work often explores themes of racial and sexual identity, reflecting her personal experiences as a queer, mixed-race woman. The figures in her paintings challenge traditional notions of identity, moving fluidly between genders and resisting passive consumption.
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| Christina Quarles - A Little Fall of Rain |
Major Works and Exhibitions
Held Fast and Let Go Likewise (2020): This work, displayed at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, showcases Quarles' exploration of identity and fluidity. The figures in the painting are contorted and interact with various dimensions, symbolizing the multiplicity of identity.
It's Gunna Be All Right, Cause Baby, There Ain't Nuthin Left (2017): Her first solo show at Skibum MacArthur in Los Angeles marked the beginning of her prominent career.
Baby, I Want Yew To Know All Tha Folks I Am" (2018): This exhibition at the David Castillo Gallery in Miami further established her as a significant contemporary artist.
Quarles has also participated in notable group exhibitions, including "Fictions" at the Studio Museum in Harlem, "Trigger: Gender as a Tool and a Weapon" at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York, and "Made in LA" at the Hammer Museum in Westwood, CA.
Recognition and Impact
Quarles' work has garnered critical acclaim and several prestigious awards. She received the Robert Schoelkopf Fellowship at Yale University in 2015 and the Rema Hort Mann Emerging Artist Grant in 2016. In 2018, she was named a member of the "Artsy Vanguard," a group of rising artists. She was also the recipient of the inaugural Pérez Prize in 2019 from the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Market Success
Quarles' paintings have seen significant success in the art market. In 2022, her painting "Night Fell Upon Us Up On Us" (2019) sold for a record $4.5 million at Sotheby’s in New York, highlighting her growing influence and recognition.
Personal Life and Artistic Philosophy
Quarles' personal experiences deeply influence her work. Married to Alyssa Polk and a mother of one, her art often reflects her journey as a queer, mixed-race woman. She uses her paintings to explore and express the ambiguity and fluidity of identity, drawing from her rich personal narrative.
In an interview with Jareh Das for Bomb Magazine, Quarles described her work: "The figures in my work are possibly individual bodies moving through time and space as well as through their perception of themselves. They also interact with their shadows. I use the medium of painting, with its historical connotations, to activate something that can go beyond fixity."
Future Directions
Quarles continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art with her innovative exploration of identity and her challenge to societal norms. Her upcoming projects promise to delve even deeper into these themes, ensuring her continued relevance and influence in the art world.
Christina Quarles' art is a profound exploration of identity, fluidity, and human experience. Through her gestural, abstract paintings, she challenges traditional notions of physical and racial identity, offering a fresh and provocative perspective on contemporary life. Her work not only reflects her personal journey but also invites viewers to engage with complex themes in a visually stunning and thought-provoking way. As she continues to evolve and expand her practice, Quarles' impact on the art world is sure to grow, cementing her place as a leading figure in contemporary art.
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