Jordan Casteel Stays in the Moment | Art21 "New York Close Up"

How does an artist connect with her subjects in the solitude of her studio?
Artist Jordan Casteel reflects on the complex dynamic between herself and her subjects while adjusting to the recent commercial success of her paintings. Celebrating the opening of her first solo gallery exhibition at Casey Kaplan in Chelsea, Casteel is joined by the men featured in her portraits who revel in their oil likenesses. "I feel like a superstar," says one subject, Quentin, "I can't stop blushing."
In her studio at the Elizabeth Foundation in midtown Manhattan, Casteel reflects on how she uses photography to capture a subject in an instant, before spending hours investigating every detail of the scene. "It's my way of trying to reconnect with the immediacy that happens if you're sitting in front of somebody," says the artist. "The camera has really become a liaison between me and the sitter. It gives me time to slow down before I go fast."
One subject, Louie, met Casteel on 125th Street in Harlem where he sells his own artwork as the clothing brand Young Style Designs. "Jordan, her work is on showcase, you've got to go inside an establishment," he says. "I'm more of a street hustler, I get it out right on the cement concrete block." A Harlem resident herself, Casteel intends to continue focusing on Black men in her work-not as characters but as people. "I have somehow found a way to weasel myself into a one-percent opportunity within the art market," says the artist. "With access comes responsibility."
Jordan Casteel (b. in 1989, Denver, Colorado) lives and works in New York. Learn more about the artist at: art21.org/arti...
CREDITS | "New York Close Up" Series Producer: Nick Ravich. Director & Producer: Vicky Du. Editor: Bryan Chang. Cinematography: Jeffrey Sterrenberg, Eric Phillips-Horst, Mariam Dwedar. Additional Camera: Orian Barki. Sound: Vicky Du, Eric Phillips-Horst. Production Assistant: Ife Adelona. Design & Graphics: Open, Urosh Perisic. Artwork Courtesy: Jordan Casteel. Music Supervisor: Abhita Austin. Music Courtesy: Bandesla, Keishh. Thanks: A-Thug, Charles L. Casteel, Lauren Y. Casteel, The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, Frieze Magazine, Casey Kaplan, Interview Magazine, Veronica Levitt, Louie, Meerkat Media, Quentin, Jamie Russell, Jason Wyche, Zen. © Art21, Inc. 2017. All rights reserved.
"New York Close Up" is supported, in part, by The Lambent Foundation; public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; VIA Art Fund; and by individual contributors.
TRANSLATIONS
Translated subtitles are generously contributed by our volunteer translation community. Visit our translation team at Amara for the full list of contributors:
amara.org/en/v...
#JordanCasteel #Art21 #Art21NewYorkCloseUp

[@liebingf]

the best thing about it are the happy ´models´ seeing themselves in the paintings, being a part of it. I am so happy for them + don´t know why.

[@jetsonjoe]

I remember when I was in art school and tried painting like this...late seventies and eighties....and was almost chased out of the school...realism was not a thing or even tolerated...nice to see it is back again ...wonderful paintings of community...wonderful.

[@Naztalgic]

Amazing art Im so happy Art21 is still doing this

[@MikeyMarley81]

Love her work....thank you!!

[@opulentElephant11]

Incredible work from a very talented artist

[@Icreatemore]

nice work...thanks ART21

[@user-rm8dv9vl9q]

Sending Love from Jersey ❤ Amazing content and technique

[@trahapace150]

Technique?

[@bis_k]

This is powerful

[@Dolittlesart]

Awesome!

[@jetsonjoe]

Honestly this is really exciting. Yes I am white (I was born that way) and this is exciting stuff...and an exciting painter. With visibility comes responsibility. Really enjoyable. Thanks. (I am a painter too...and maybe I should paint my community too?!)

[@juiicxdart281]

Trying to find out who’s music this is at the end also this video was amazing 🔥

[@jankocelebic5124]

Cool shirts bruh

[@talbarkrasnopolsky4761]

CHECK OUT MY INSTAGRAM WEB ART21! instagram.com/talkrasnopolsky/

[@InnovativeSaint]

I perceive much of Black art as realism, social realism, hyperrealism (very sensual). It seems more concerned with immanence (being in touch with the physical world of experience) and less with transcendence (the attempt to get in touch with the metaphysical or mystical). Even in abstract art there is still often an underlying sensuality, which is not a bad thing, but a distinct marker of immanence over transcendence. Afro-futurism is less a mode of transcendence and more an allegory of sensuality or immanence extended into technology. In other words, Black cyberpunk (cyberpunk is sex and machines).

[@johnbotero4942]

I like her more than i like her art. Sorry but all these artists painting sloppy like Alice Neel has lowered the bar of what is considered talent in art. So these days you don't even have to learn the craft of drawing, proportions, or painting. It seems like as long as you're young, fresh and ethnic you have a chance to be successful in art. Like how Basquiat was seen, a sideshow in the circus. What happened to taking pride in your craft, spending hours and hours on perfecting it.

[@The1fromBK]

I'll Take it. These are great times indeed!!!

[@The1fromBK]

Basquiat was brilliant.

[@Dolittlesart]

I could just hear this conversation with Picasso right now! Once a real artist learns the “rules”, proportion, color theory, form, they masterfully break them. That is what she has masterfully done! Get a clue, clueless, JOHN!

[@luisamong3087]

(Sorry if I made a mistake, I'm learning English) Why does she paint them? I mean, why doesn't she give value to the photography, to the instante? Ok, if she likes painting, why doesn't she paint in live in the streets, meeting, talking and living for a little while with theose people? Is it necessary to copy from a photo in a studio? Don't get me wrong, I think that the idea of giving visibility to those New York's character are interesting, but I have the doubt if the way (or the technique) is the best to make this stronger. Close up to New York, close up to these people! For example I'm thinking of the artworks of Nan Goldin or Nikki S. Lee who have a similar idea but they were integrated into this kind of tribes, even Nikki invited to that people to take the pictures by themselves... How about a kind of device that allows her to carry out her painting things and to do her work while she shares with them? Or what do you think about?

[@d1d2d3dshai]

photography has less market value. painting on the spot will slow production down. Its all about da $

[@mvj1153]

Not every artist has to be the same or is the same or should be the same.

[@fabrizio483]

Those paintings are AWFUL.

[@synergycycle5917]

Another hater has made themselves known.

[@mvj1153]

Why not give the young brother who is also creating his art and selling it on the streets a shout out? Website link? Instagram link? Name? Anything. Help the young brother out too. He's an artist too.