Lorna Simpson on Her "Source Notes" Painting Exhibition at The Met

Transition to Painting

• 🎨 Lorna Simpson, initially known for photography, transitioned to painting around 10 years ago, starting with small drawings and collages.
• 💡 This shift was driven by an enjoyment of the immediate, intimate process of making something by hand, contrasting with her previous work.
• 🧠 The process of painting felt "strange" initially, requiring a release of control and a dance between intention and allowing the process to unfold.

The Physicality and Discovery of Painting

• 🏋️ Simpson found painting to be a surprisingly physical activity, especially when working on large-scale pieces that sometimes required painting on the floor.
• 🧩 The painting process involves discovery and accidents, unlike the more predictable nature of photography, requiring an intuitive way of working.
• ⏳ She describes knowing when to stop for the day as the moment when continuing might lead to messing up the piece, emphasizing a balance between effort and knowing when to step back.

"Source Notes" Exhibition Themes

• 📚 The exhibition title, "Source Notes," refers to the use of found visual material, primarily from advertisements in magazines like Jet and Ebony, as inspiration.
• 🖼️ Key pieces include "True Value," a reinterpretation of a past photograph featuring a woman with a leopard on a leash, and "Nightmare," inspired by a promotional still from the film "Carrie."
• 🌌 Many figures in her paintings are described as ghostly or ethereal, existing with a presence that manifests through transparency or illusion.

Meteorites and Artistic Inspiration

• 🌠 The Met's acquisition, "Did Time Elapse," is inspired by a historical account of a meteorite fall observed by a Black tenant farmer in Mississippi.
• ⚠️ Simpson uses this text to explore themes of violence and the significance of natural phenomena within specific historical and social contexts.
• 💎 She even purchased a meteorite on eBay, using her childhood fascination with rocks and specific markings to identify it.

Honoring Curators and Artistic Practice

• 🌟 The painting "For Barl Wright" is a tribute to the late curator Barl Wright, who significantly impacted Simpson's career through an early survey exhibition.
• 🤝 Simpson highlights the importance of institutional support for curators, particularly Black women, throughout their careers, not just for single exhibitions.
• 🖼️ The exhibition also includes a sculpture, "Five Properties," made from ebony and Jet magazines, bronze, plaster, and glass, showcasing the diversity of her artistic output beyond painting and photography.