Helen Molesworth on Alice Neel
In Episode 23 of The Great Women Artists Podcast, Katy Hessel interviews one of the world's GREATEST writers and curators, Helen Molesworth on ALICE NEEL !!!\n\nThe\xa0most\xa0exceptional portrait painter to ever life, and in my opinion, the most pioneering artist there ever was, Alice Neel was a visionary. Born as early as 1900 and based in NYC for her entire adulthood, Neel's life corresponded with the 20th century, which saw her live through political events, as well as a multitude\xa0of art movements and styles.\n\xa0\nPainting her portraits in her signature thick blue and black outlines; scrutinising her sitter in every way; capturing the essence of the encounter; and owning her subject, Neel remained continuously loyal to her painterly style throughout the course of her six-decade-plus career.\xa0\n\nCapturing art world stars such as Andy Warhol, to her cleaner Carmen and landlord's son, Benjamin, Alice Neel painted the world and community she surrounded herself, first in Harlem, and then on the Upper West Side. Dubbed 'a collector of souls' she painted people how she saw them: frank, honest, expressive, and truthful.\xa0\n\nAnd then there are her revolutionary paintings of the nude: from sexualised portrayals of men to protruding pregnant women. WOW. Was she groundbreaking.\xa0\n\nIt was completely amazing to\xa0interview the genius Helen Molesworth, who is SO insightful on the life and work of Alice Neel. One of the most fun episodes I have ever recorded, we deep dive into Neel discussing her take on men, her encounters, and what her art means for the history of art.\xa0\n\nFurther reading/watching: \nHelen Molesworth at David Zwirner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aULGfEQZPUA\nEssay by Helen Molesworth: https://www.davidzwirner.com/exhibitions/freedom-0\nHilton Als curated show, Uptown, at Victoria Miro: https://www.victoria-miro.com/exhibitions/506/\n\nThank you for listening!!\n\nThis episode is sponsored by Alighieri\xa0https://alighieri.co.uk/\n@alighieri_jewellery\nEnjoy 10% off using the code TGWA! \n\nFollow us:\nKaty Hessel: @thegreatwomenartists / @katy.hessel\nSound editing by Amber Miller (@amber_m.iller)\nArtwork by @thisisaliceskinner\nMusic by Ben Wetherfield\n\nhttps://www.thegreatwomenartists.com/