When I heard the Mark Rothko exhibit was at the Portland Art Museum I had to go. His late career works are some of my personal faves and I was thrilled to see them live. I had an amazing girl-day with one of my Portland besties. The day started with a trip to the wholesale floral market (flowers for Mother’s Day), then off the museum, followed by lunch and Mani/Pedi’s. Oh, and then we went out for a delicious dinner. All in all I would have to say it was the perfect day.
This is my favorite Rothko hands down. At this point in Rothko’s career he had developed a signature style defined as “multi-form”. This exhibit in Portland is a homecoming of sorts, I had no idea that Rothko had emigrated from Russia as a 10 year old to Portland, Oregon.
Can I please make this into a scarf? How beautiful would that be! His abstract expressionism was a label he rejected, but is the best description of his work.
The simplicity of this piece is what I like most. The evolution of his life works was very cool to see. Here is a fun fact: until now a retrospective of Rothko’s paintings has never been staged in Portland, although his very first museum exhibition was hosted by the Portland Art Museum in 1933-34.
Aside from Rothko’s work I really enjoyed a few contemporary pieces that I wanted to share. I was drawn to this contemporary work by artist Dan Flavin, called “Untitled (To Donna) II”.
Another work of flourescent lights caught my eye on my way up the stairs……
Ha! I think that this is hilarious! Didn’t catch the artist on this one….
Darren Waterston’s, “In-Between” was my favorite contemporary piece by far.
Xo
Top image via Google, the rest are from me (97 Sullivan)