David Salle On Museum Politics, Painting Today

(MENAFN- USA Art News) Artist David Salle discussed the evolving landscape of museums, art world politics, and contemporary painting in a recent conversation with Adam Lindemann for Artnet News. The discussion, part of a new series titled“Lunch with Adam,” took place at Sant Ambroeus in East Hampton.

Salle, an artist with more than 50 years of experience, highlighted a significant shift in the art world over the past four decades, moving away from art as a product of formal thought. He noted that institutional critique and identity politics have largely overshadowed a focus on formal language and stylistic succession that characterized the art world since the 1940s. Salle described this shift as a reversal from a system of exclusion to one of inclusion, where artists often act as spokespeople for underrepresented groups.

This transformation coincided with the globalization and academic codification of conceptual art. Salle observed a change in the language used to describe art-making, from verbs like“painting” and“drawing” to“unpacking” and“interrogating.” He further explained that deconstructionist thought contributed to this, reframing the artist as part of a larger social system rather than solely a“creator.”

Salle also raised concerns about the declining presence of painting exhibitions in museums, despite its continued vibrancy. He cited an upcoming Whitney Museum of American Art roster that includes a Roy Lichtenstein show in the fall, but no other dedicated painting exhibitions, leaning instead toward multimedia, video, film, performance, and installation.

Curators, he suggested, may be hesitant to align with the market and seek opportunities to associate with“resistance” movements. Salle argued that this approach leads to a“dearth of painting shows” and a missed opportunity to educate the public about the continuum of painting over the last 40 or 50 years. He referenced a past conversation with a Whitney trustee who stated,“We want bodies through turnstiles,” indicating that attendance figures often serve as a measure of institutional success.

To address this, Salle organized a group show of painters titled“The Art of Witty Banter” for the Oklahoma Contemporary, a kunsthalle-type space in Oklahoma City. The exhibition aims to juxtapose a wide range of contemporary painters and encourage viewers to consider their commonalities.

Source: Artnet News

MENAFN10092026005694012507ID1111650137