“Modern American Royalty”
Tandem Painting
Jun 13 - Jul 18
Opening Reception: June 13th, 4-6pm.
Tandem Painting is a collaborative studio practice by Suzette McD and James Whitehouse. We began painting together on the same canvas, and discovered that this demands new levels of communication and trust. At every turn, the expectations of one of us would be changed by the contributions of the other. This creates an interesting approximation of “happy mistakes” – when something goes ‘wrong’ and the artist has to look at the piece with new eyes. In our case, each time one of us walks away from the painting to let the other work, they return to a painting different from what they left and what they expected. It is a constant, inspiring, parade of ‘surprises’ that allow (and demand) almost endless creativity.
We now live in a country much different than the one of just 15 years ago. There are very serious, life-challenging issues today. So many people are fighting for basic needs and dignity. Our art has always been about uplifting people around us, and we try to show these people as WE view them – as heroes. We feel this mirrors Van Gogh and Gauguin’s belief in showing the sublime nature of the average person. We aspire to make beautiful, interesting, vibrant paintings that can be enjoyed, but which also contain a deeper meaning.
Together, our art explores questions about identity, representation, and belonging. Our technical method is rooted in mutual respect, communication, and trust. And our approach is based on a desire to create resonant work that encourages dialogue and reflection.
- Suzette & James
“Modern American Royalty”
Our series, “Modern American Royalty” was a critique of classical portraiture’s overwhelming focus on European (white) subjects. It was inspired by a letter by Van Gogh to his brother stating that he and Gauguin had to take a 45 minute train ride to go see a portrait of an African woman. That’s how rare paintings of non-whites were. So, we decided to take classical paintings and create interpretations meant to point out the inequity that portraiture has had on historically disadvantaged groups and how portraiture even today unconsciously continues to depict these groups in stereotypical inequality.
“Realeza Americana Moderna”
Nuestra serie, “Realeza Americana Moderna” fue una crítica del abrumador enfoque del retrato clásico en temas europeos (blancos). Se inspiró en una carta de Van Gogh a su hermano afirmando que él y Gauguin tuvieron que tomar un viaje en tren de 45 minutos para ir a ver un retrato de una mujer africana. Así de raras eran las pinturas de no blancos. Así que decidimos tomar pinturas clásicas y crear interpretaciones destinadas a señalar la desigualdad que el retrato ha tenido en grupos históricamente desfavorecidos y cómo el retrato incluso hoy en día continúa inconscientemente representando a estos grupos en la desigualdad estereotipada.
“Royalty in Red” 60 x 42 inches, Acrylic, 2022
“Realeza en rojo” 60 x 42 pulgadas, acrílico, 2022
“Modern American Royalty 2”
We are currently working on “Modern American Royalty 2” which will continue this critique, but also including woman as a disadvantaged group. We’re using portraits such as those by John Singer Sargent, which show women gloriously portrayed who lacked the right to vote, to own property, or to make their own health decisions. Our new portraits will use early 1900 paintings to create interpretations showing women empowered and supported, not owned, by their partners. It will be a fun series to work on and to exhibit.
“Realeza Americana Moderna 2”
Actualmente estamos trabajando en “Realeza Americana Moderna 2”, que continuará esta crítica, pero también incluirá a la mujer como grupo desfavorecido. Estamos utilizando retratos como los de John Singer Sargent, que muestran a mujeres gloriosamente retratadas que carecían del derecho a votar, a poseer propiedades o a tomar sus propias decisiones de salud. Nuestros nuevos retratos utilizarán pinturas de principios de 1900 para crear interpretaciones que muestren a mujeres empoderadas y apoyadas, no propiedad, por sus parejas. Será una serie divertida para trabajar y exhibir.
“Modern American Royalty 2 - Yellow”, 72 x 54 inches, Acrylic, 2026
“Realeza Americana Moderna 2 - Amarillo”, 72 x 54 pulgadas, acrílico, 2026