New York Gallery Showcases the Enigmatic Art of hairy Who’s Suellen Rocca
NEW YORK – The art world is once again captivated by the distinctive vision of suellen Rocca, one of the original members of the influential Chicago-based artist group, the Hairy Who. A new exhibition, “Suellen Rocca: Good Things and Bad Things,” now on view at the Matthew Marks Gallery in New York City, spans the late artist’s career from 1964 to 2014, offering a compelling look at her unique visual language.
Rocca, who passed away in 2020, was a key figure in the Hairy Who, a group known for its irreverent, Pop-art-infused renderings of everyday life. The Hairy who shook up the Chicago art scene with a series of three exhibitions between 1966 and 1968, followed by a final show curated by Walter Hopps at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.,in 1969.
The current exhibition at Matthew Marks features 20 paintings, drawings, and objects that exemplify Rocca’s signature style. From large-scale canvases to intimate paintings on vintage purses, the works reveal Rocca’s interest with mass media and the trappings of the American Dream, filtered through her own surreal and frequently enough unsettling lens.
By the mid-1960s, Rocca had already begun to develop her personal iconography, characterized by simplified, graphic images that function as a kind of “picture writing.” Recurring motifs like narrow beds, diamond rings, houses, and figures are arranged in pictographic fields, inviting viewers to decode their hidden meanings.Rocca’s work frequently enough incorporates imagery drawn from mid-century advertisements, commenting on the conformist desires and societal pressures of the era. Though, she subverts these familiar images by adding unexpected elements, such as disembodied hands, figures encased in bubbles, and melting bodies, creating a sense of unease and ambiguity.
One striking example is “Untitled” (2020), a four-paneled painting that brings together seemingly benign images – an empty bed, birds in flight, a pair of legs, and a house – to create a disquieting atmosphere. Similarly, an untitled watercolor and graphite work from the same year features repeated images of a house, a nude woman on a rock, and a hand alternating with a leaf, culminating in a disturbing depiction of a body melting on a bed.
While Rocca is best known for her pictographic works, the exhibition also showcases pieces like “Lamp Poem” (c. 1969), which demonstrates her versatility and willingness to experiment. This painting features a blue lamp with a house depicted on its shade, surrounded by lines denoting light and the words “ohh,” “ahh,” and “mmm” in each corner. The work’s enigmatic symbolism and unusual composition challenge viewers to reconsider the meaning of domestic comfort and aspiration.
Another notable work, “Hidden Danger Lady” (1984–2012), is a mostly black-and-white drawing of a cross-legged figure with oversized pink hands. The use of color to define space and complicate the reading of the image highlights Rocca’s skill as a draughtswoman and her ability to convey complex emotions through seemingly simple forms.
The exhibition underscores Rocca’s critical perspective on mid-century American culture, exposing the underlying anxieties and contradictions beneath the surface of the American Dream. By juxtaposing images of domestic bliss with unsettling and surreal elements, Rocca invites viewers to question the values and aspirations of a society obsessed with material success and conformity.”suellen Rocca: Good Things and Bad Things” offers a fresh perspective on the work of a meaningful artist whose unique vision continues to resonate with contemporary audiences. The exhibition is on view at the Matthew Marks Gallery, located at 522 West 22nd Street, through June 29.
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Interview: Exploring the Legacy of Suellen Rocca with Art Historian Dr. Eleanor Vance
Archyde News recently spoke with Dr. Eleanor Vance, an acclaimed art historian specializing in post-war American art, to delve into the interesting world of Suellen Rocca, whose retrospective “Good Things and Bad Things” is currently on display at the Matthew Marks Gallery in New York.
Unveiling the Enigma: Suellen Rocca’s Unique Visual Language
Archyde News: Dr.Vance, thank you for joining us. Suellen Rocca was a pivotal figure in the Hairy Who. can you tell us about the significance of her work and its place within this influential group?
Dr. Vance: Thank you for having me. Suellen Rocca’s work is incredibly significant. she was one of the original voices of the Hairy Who, a group that challenged the status quo of the Chicago art scene in the 1960s. Rocca’s distinct style, with its Pop-art influences and surreal undertones, was crucial in defining the group’s rebellious spirit and visual language. Her ability to blend the everyday with the bizarre set her apart.
Decoding the Pictographic Fields: Recurring Motifs and Hidden Meanings
Archyde News: The exhibition showcases Rocca’s signature pictographic style. What are some of the recurring motifs in her work, and what do they signify?
dr. Vance: Rocca’s iconography is fascinating. She used simplified, graphic images—almost like a “picture writing”—to explore themes of the American Dream, conformity, and the anxieties beneath the surface. You’ll see recurring elements like beds, diamond rings, houses, and figures. These often represent domesticity and aspiration, but Rocca subverts them, adding unsettling elements to create a sense of disquiet. It’s a commentary on the societal pressures of that era.
Good Things and bad Things: Juxtaposing comfort and Unease
Archyde News: “Good Things and Bad Things” seems to capture the essence of rocca’s practice. Could you elaborate on how she juxtaposes these contrasting elements in her art?
Dr. Vance: Absolutely. Rocca’s genius lies in her ability to create a visual tension. She’d place images of comfort,security,and material success alongside unsettling or surreal imagery.Take, for instance, “Hidden Danger Lady,” with its black-and-white figure and oversized pink hands. This juxtaposition allows her to explore the contradictions and the underlying anxieties of the American Dream. She makes the viewer question what seems familiar and agreeable.
Exploring Versatility: Beyond the pictographs
Archyde News: The exhibition also features works like “Lamp Poem,” showcasing Rocca’s versatility. In what ways did she experiment with her art?
Dr. Vance: “Lamp Poem” exemplifies her willingness to experiment. The enigmatic symbolism, with the blue lampshade and the words “ohh”, “ahh” and “mmm”, challenges viewers to reconsider their assumptions about domesticity. She wasn’t solely defined by pictographic works; she wasn’t afraid to mix things up,to try different approaches to portray her vision.
The Lasting Resonance: Rocca’s influence on Contemporary Art
Archyde News: Rocca’s work is still resonating with contemporary audiences. Why do you think her art continues to captivate viewers today?
Dr. Vance: Her work speaks to timeless themes of identity, societal pressures, and the human condition. Her artistic exploration of the American Dream and the discomfort beneath the surface still resonates strongly. Also, her ability to combine the commonplace with the bizarre makes her work both accessible and endlessly intriguing. Her art is still fresh and original; her impact on contemporary art is still apparent.
Archyde News: Thank you, Dr. Vance, for sharing your insights on Suellen Rocca’s fascinating work.
Dr. Vance: My pleasure.
Archyde News: The exhibition “Suellen Rocca: Good Things and Bad Things” is on view at the Matthew Marks Gallery in New York City until June 29. We encourage our readers to visit and experience Rocca’s art for themselves. We invite our readers to consider: What element of Suellen Rocca’s work do you find most compelling, and how does it resonate with you personally? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
