Eric Fischl has a major exhibition at the Dallas Contemporary, yet I would say that his William Campbell Contemporary Art show is even better. In Fort Worth, Fischl reveals his process of creating his paintings. These are sketches of his paintings but I also see them as finished objects. Fischl takes mylars and prints an image on the surface. Then he pins them up in different positions. Each composition is framed, but you can imagine him taking them out of the frame and rearranging the mylar figures again. When you move from image to image, you start noticing the same people. They are just in a different position in another composition. Like a non-digital version of photoshop, Fischl can move around his subjects until he gets just the right position for a painting.
Next, I would suggest visiting Fort Works Art and the Riley Holloway solo show titled Spectrum. In a similar vein to the Fischl’s work, Holloway’s focus is on people. However, I would say that Holloway is more interested in getting to know his subjects. Fischl is making pictures as an outside observer almost judging the scene. Holloway gets to know the people he portrays and seeks to get an intimate portrayal of each individual. You look at his figures and you feel like you know them or could at least talk to them. I don’t feel the cold distance I experience in Fischl, though that distance is important to his work. Holloway gives you a completely different feeling towards depicting people. For me, each painting drew me into the story.
