David Reed Went Where Lichtenstein Wouldn’t
He brought his optical preoccupations into the 21st century, without losing his love of artists from earlier eras.
David Reed's exhibition "David Reed: Terrible Idea at Rodder" is a unique display of his paintings and drawings from 2013 to the present. The artist draws inspiration from a diverse range of artists, including Barnett Newman, Piero della Francesca, and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, as well as from various stimuli such as thoughts, emails, and conversations within his studio. Reed's work is characterized by explorations of color in opaque forms, layered transparencies, figure-ground interactions, and more.
In an interview from 2010, Reed made two notable statements that resurfaced during the viewing of this exhibition. He expressed that his paintings revolve around the process but conceal it, echoing the concept of "studio paintings" as discussed by Milton Resnick. Reed emphasized the importance of making paintings solely for personal advancement, exploration, and novelty, leading him to focus on "studio paintings."
He also revealed his desire to create paintings that he can revisit, rework, and view as he transitions between sleep and wakefulness, ultimately positioning them in a space where they connect with dreams, half-thoughts, and musings rather than purely analytical thought. Reed aims to create paintings that become an integral part of the viewer's experience, blurring the lines between waking and dreaming.
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