Eli’s Friend 1985

Editor: This is Alex Katz's "Eli's Friend", held at the Tate. I'm struck by how the simplicity of the brushstrokes almost flattens the figure, especially the face. What compositional elements stand out to you? Curator: Note how Katz employs broad, unmodulated fields of color. The background, a uniform teal, acts as a foil to the figure. Do you observe how the limited palette creates a sense of visual unity? Editor: Yes, I see it! But I wonder, is the flattening effect a deliberate choice to emphasize the surface of the painting itself? Curator: Precisely. Katz challenges the illusion of depth, drawing attention to the materiality of paint and canvas. This emphasis on the literal surface is critical to understanding his project. Editor: This has really changed how I see Katz's work! Thanks. Curator: A pleasure. It is through this focused looking that we can appreciate the nuances of his visual language.