Avi – 18th St. 

Daniel Greene made this painting, Avi – 18th St., using traditional oil paints. But rather than depicting a grand landscape, or a society portrait, he has chosen a fleeting, everyday moment. The work’s material qualities – the way the oil paint can mimic textures, light, and shadow – are critical here. Greene captures the mundane reality of a New York subway station, including the aging tiles and mosaic signage. These materials were originally chosen for their durability and ease of cleaning, reflecting the city’s functional needs. The woman waiting could be any one of us, a study of how our own lives intersect with urban infrastructure. Greene has masterfully depicted these layered materials and their associated histories. By focusing on the understated and the quotidian, Greene challenges conventional distinctions between fine art and craft. He prompts us to consider how labor, class, and the built environment shape our experiences.