CHUCK CLOSE: Red, Yellow, and Blue.

The Chuck Close exhibition, “Red, Yellow, and Blue: The Last Paintings,” at the Pace Gallery in New York is a compelling retrospective that showcases the artist’s final works, many of which have never before been publicly exhibited. Chuck Close, known for his groundbreaking approach to conceptual portraiture, took the art world by storm from the late 1960s onwards, challenging conventional modes of representation in an era dominated by Minimalism and abstraction.

The exhibition provides a fascinating glimpse into the last decade of Close’s life, during which his artistic style underwent a radical transformation. In these late paintings, Close departed from his iconic grid-based system and adopted a new technique. Using only three colors – red, yellow, and blue – he applied thin, transparent washes of oil paint, treating them almost like watercolors. The result is a series of portraits that appear as if on the brink of abstraction, with faces only fully emerging when viewed from a distance or through the lens of a camera.

Close’s exploration of perception, facial recognition, and information processing is evident in these late works. The deliberate use of a limited color palette adds a layer of complexity to the viewing experience, challenging the audience to engage with the paintings on a deeper level. The artist himself described the effect as “total abstraction,” reinforcing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

The narrative of Chuck Close’s life, particularly his resilience in the face of a spinal aneurysm that left him paralyzed from the neck down in 1988, adds a poignant layer to the exhibition. Through a grueling process of rehabilitation, Close not only regained the ability to paint but also reinvented his approach. His use of a brush-holding device strapped to his wrists and forearms is a testament to his determination and ingenuity, transforming the trajectory of his career and the history of art itself.

The process behind the “Red, Yellow, and Blue” series, as outlined in the exhibition information, further highlights Close’s meticulous approach. Each painting is a culmination of three distinct layers, with red, blue, and yellow successively added to create the final full-color portrait. This method not only speaks to Close’s technical skill but also underscores the complexity and depth inherent in each composition.

In summary, “Red, Yellow, and Blue: The Last Paintings” is a thought-provoking exhibition that encapsulates Chuck Close’s artistic evolution and the profound impact of his innovative spirit. It is a fitting tribute to an artist who, despite facing significant physical challenges, continued to push the boundaries of his craft until the very end. The Pace Gallery provides a space for reflection and appreciation of Close’s lasting contribution to the world of contemporary art.