Vol. VI No. 6
Conner Calhoun
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/johannes-van-der-aack-an-old-woman-seated-sewing
Oil on canvas stretched onto panel
Aluminum chair from studio, plaster, epoxy

Jan 29 - Mar 2, 2025

artist link

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Artist Statement:

In the piece https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/johannes-van-der-aack-an-old-woman-seated-sewing  Conner explores the cosmic banality of existence through various materials, references and spaces. On one side of the Gutterbox’s interior is an anamorphic painting of a skull that takes the entire length of the space, Conner forgets where the image comes from, or so he says. On the outside of the gutter box is a foldable chair from Conner’s studio with casts of lemons attached – one cast is whole, one is halved, and one is squished, making a direct relationship to temporality as it’s represented in still life painting. 

The title of the piece is an internet link that takes you to an image in the National Gallery’s collection, the image is titled An Old Woman Seated Sewing, painted by Johannes Claesz. van der Aack. Not much is said about the painting or the artist. He was a Dutch Painter, his father was a Wine Merchant and he was a Deacon in a Guild. This painting appears to be one of the few pieces that has survived the painter's obscurity. The everydayness of the image is incredibly banal, and might be something we gloss over, understated and perhaps reflective of many painters' legacies. This feels incredibly relatable. Like a lemon, placed on a side table, following the mortal coil of one’s peel. Behind the self sits a reflection, bent in confusion. 

Conner Calhoun is currently based in Winston Salem NC. He is 5’10”, single and typically free on the weekends and evenings.  He teaches observational drawing at UNCG, and he is the current director/curator of LUMP projects in Raleigh NC.