
Rachel Feinstein: Maiden, Mother, Crone
At the Jewish Museum, NYC, through March 22, 2020
by Nancy Whitcomb
Rachel Feinstein’s big new show is fresh, wild, raw, funny and full of surprises. I hesitate writing about it in detail because I don’t want to weaken the suspense about what visitors to the show will see.

Feinstein, born in 1971, is too often simply identified as the wife of painter John Currin. But both are well known in the New York art world. Feinstein, with long curly hair, looks as if she stepped out of a fairy tale. And indeed her work, mostly sculpture, borrows from fairy tales. She explores femininity — borrowing from religion, formal European painting, Kitsch, goddesses and other sources as she does so. She uses a variety of materials, including finely formed and finished wood, raw wood, mirrors, mylar wallpaper, clay, metal and plaster.

The exhibition includes a particularly striking series of crones painted on mirrors. Some of her sculptures look unfinished, and goofy, to me, but I was drawn by her energy, daring, creativity and variety of expression.

Rachel Feinstein’s show offers plenty to think about beyond her themes. Her sculptures are unique in that they are completely dissimilar from one another. With her dizzying array of styles and materials, she defies the art world’s expectations for a unified look.

This looks like an interesting show! I’m glad you shared your thoughts and photos because it’s doubtful I will make it there!
This is the exhibit I really want to see. It’s difficult for me to see this artist with John Currin. Perhaps the aristocratic and historical orientation are the shared themes. Feinstein strikes me as very original and innovative. I’d love to talk about it after I see the show.