Freeze Frame - James Rieck’s Beguiling Compositions

Joanne Artman Gallery
Jan 31, 2017 1:31AM

Combining a vintage aesthetic and a utopian feel, artist James Rieck’s paintings capture frozen moments of a surreal, transformed reality.

James Rieck
Free and Easy
Joanne Artman Gallery

Bright, poppy colors reminiscent of the famous 60’s era Lilly Pulitzer prints adorn bright frocks; well coiffed locks, silk scarves, and pearl accents place the well-heeled figures into a distinctive, iconic aesthetic. Rieck cheekily nods at the campy within his work, while the tightly controlled dictation of the narratives, and masterful control of the medium suffuse the work with a chic type of wit.

James Rieck
Freedom with Flair
Joanne Artman Gallery

 The figures, often coupled or alone in glacial or minimalist surroundings seem both isolated as well as part of a larger narratives. Perhaps this is because we are presented with a cutoff slice of the whole picture, as Rieck leaves us only a glimpse of the backgrounds, with the figures only seen in partial view as well. Although the heads seem turned forward towards the viewer, the figures are not confrontational, offering us a passive opportunity to take in the lush details of the picture plane. Often, though the top half of their faces are obscured, it is clear that the figures are facing someone that is beyond the current line of sight, in a direction at an angle to the viewer. If the figures are posing, is it for us? Or are we merely a voyeur taking in the scene as it plays out? These questions are another enigmatic pull for further study.

Rieck’s work is singular, smart, and infinitely beguiling. We invite you to get lost in the work, and to assemble your own narrative from the clues presented in the lusciously painted compositions.  

Represented at JoAnne Artman Gallery Laguna Beach || 326 North Coast Hwy. Laguna Beach, CA 92651

949.510.5481 || www.joanneartmangallery.com || [email protected]

Joanne Artman Gallery