NYC 1974

Melissa Meyer’s painting “NYC” is, as the name suggests, an abstract impression of the city, rendered in thick, energetic brushstrokes of oil paint. The materials, oil paint on canvas, are conventional enough, but it is the manner of application that catches the eye. Each stroke is laid on with urgency and confidence, forming a mosaic of color that evokes the frenetic pace of urban life. The impasto texture – that built-up quality of paint – gives the surface a tactile, almost sculptural presence. The weight and density of the paint itself become a key part of the artwork’s language. Meyer doesn’t blend her colours seamlessly; instead, she lets them jostle and vibrate against each other, creating a dynamic visual field. This direct engagement with the materiality of paint aligns her with a lineage of artists who celebrate the physical properties of their medium. In this way, Meyer bridges the traditions of painting and more hands-on creative practices. Ultimately, the work invites us to reconsider the boundaries between fine art and craft.