art and everything after

steve locke's blog about art and other stuff

Posts filed under criticism

Art Writing Tactics at deCordova Museum

January 25, 2014, 2—3 pm Ever wonder why people write about art, how they form their opinions, or how art writing ultimately shapes the viewer’s thinking about contemporary art? What does it mean to be a regional artist and what does it mean to be a regional art critic? If you are perplexed or intrigued… (read more)

My Top 10 of 2013 (with Full Disclosures)

  PAINT THINGS: Beyond the Stretcher at deCordova (Full disclosure: I was in this show.) Andrea Fraser: Andrea Fraser: Men on the Line, KPFK, 1972 at ICA/Boston (Full disclosure: I bought Andrea a bicycle while she was an artist-in-residence when I worked at Skowhegan.  Also, one of my heroes, Gregg Bordowitz, did the Q and A… (read more)

In Praise of A Newsstand

This article is published in the current issue of ART PAPERS which was guest edited by the lovely and talented Dushko Petrovich of Paper Monument fame.  I am humbled to be included in this project which includes a host of amazing people.  There’s also a few of my drawings and collages included in the article…. (read more)

See Something – Say Something

I sent this to my US Senators today after hearing about the DC Circuit court ruling reinstating abortion clinic trap laws in Texas and “stop and frisk” policies in New York Dear Senators Warren and Markey: I am sick to my soul at the news that two pieces of vile, oppressive legislation from Texas and… (read more)

Because some people really know how to have a good time….

For those of you who missed the conversation that I had with the divine Evan Garza of FIAR at ICA/Boston about my work, the museum has created a new web cast of the lecture.  The Artist’s Voice will be a regular feature of the ICA.  See below: THE ARTIST’S VOICE: STEVE LOCKE WITH EVAN GARZA Thursday, September 19,… (read more)

I know I’m not Oprah, but I’d still like to try that on…

I sent this message to all of the menswear designers who have their clothing at Riccardi, Boston. Dear Madam/Sir: I am an artist who lives and works in Boston. Recently, I opened a solo exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston titled there is no one left to blame. It has been very well received… (read more)

My “Truth or Dare” interview at Artcore

The nice folks over at Artcore interviewed me in my studio a few weeks ago. Greg Eltringham and I ate some ice cream, listened to AIR and talked about stuff. http://artcorejournal.net/2013/05/06/truth-or-dare-with-steve-locke/ This is a picture of Greg at the Rox Diner in West Roxbury. He’s a badass. And he makes some terrific paintings, too. Enjoy!… (read more)

A Review of Sebastian Smee’s Foster Prize Review in the Boston Globe

I just finished reading Sebastian Smee’s review of the current Foster Prize show at ICA. I usually love reading him, and I usually agree with him, but this review really didn’t sit right with me. Because of the discomfort, I started to write. Increasingly, I think its vitally important for artists to actually talk and… (read more)

A Fundamental Question….

I got into an extended discussion on Facebook today.  It mostly came out of the news that former President George W. Bush has been making paintings.  For some reason, this was so interesting that a critic as intelligent and insightful as Roberta Smith devoted space in the New York Times  to discussion of the works.  Among… (read more)