Maria Kreyn: “Untune A String”
October 21, 2023- November 25th, 2023
The Hole
86 Walker Street, Tribeca NY
The Hole is set to present “Untune A String,” an exhibition of new paintings by Maria Kreyn, in her first solo show in Tribeca. Kreyn’s atmospheric compositions align with the historic landscape art of the early 19th Century, marked by a rich, romantic color palette and dynamic arrangements. Both fierce and otherworldly, her fresh oil paintings depict intense storms at the juncture of sea and sky. Subtle indicators like a ship or a mast’s hint in the distance underscore the tiny human existence. The wild swirls of paint and radiant hues evoke an apocalyptic grandeur, reflecting a shared apprehension amid escalating climate events and rising sea temperatures. According to Kreyn, these paintings take direct root in Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Born in Russia in 1987, Maria Kreyn pursued studies in math and philosophy at the University of Chicago and is a self-taught painter. Among her notable works is a series of eight grand paintings inspired by Shakespeare, commissioned by Andrew Lloyd Webber. These artworks are displayed in London’s renowned Theater Royal Drury Lane lobby. Currently, she is showcasing a solo exhibition, “Lensing a Storm,” at the Ministry of Nomads in London. Publications such as Vanity Fair, the Wall Street Journal, The Art Newspaper, and The Financial Times have featured her work.
Her artwork “Alone Together” also plays a pivotal role in Shonda Rhimes’ ABC series, “The Catch.” At the same time, her Shakespeare Cycle paintings are showcased in the acclaimed television series, “The Crown.” Highlighting the profound influence of nature and digital culture, Kreyn’s pieces are an intricate blend of historical references and digital output, meticulously intertwined to produce radiant whirlpools where truth and mirage intertwine.
She integrates her compositional explorations from 16th-century painter El Greco, 18th-century artist Vernet, and early 19th-century painter Turner with patterns from actual celestial storms, crafting a diverse depiction of weather where water merges with the heavens. The expressive, human strokes combined with numerous layers of sheer paint invite a distinct physical connection and extended interaction with the artwork.
