On View
American Painter Inka Essenhigh’s Surrealist Scenes Offer a Very Enjoyable Distraction From the News—See Them Here
Escape from the stress of the day with these luscious, fantastical landscapes.
Caroline Goldstein
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“Inka Essenhigh” at Miles McEnery Gallery
Through November 14, 2020
What the gallery says: “As found throughout Surrealism and other modern avant-garde movements, Essenhigh’s paintings tend be uniquely episodic, while still sharing themes of flora and fauna. They are touched by a curious self-containment and an interiority of the force of imagination. Her works display dimensional narratives that require close-up viewing, creating a visceral dialogue, one viewer at a time. Each is marked by bright, rich color, and a decision to revel in the “little world” schema of psychology with a fluidity between people and their things.”
Inka Essenhigh, Mission Chinese Restaurant (2020). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, NY.
Why it’s worth a look: Who couldn’t use a bit of escapism right now? In American painter Inka Essenhigh’s fantastical world, the goblinesque creatures and their environments seem to be lit from within, whether cast in the cool light of the predawn morning or in the deep burnt orange of a Chinese restaurant. With nods to surrealism and animation, Essenhigh’s landscapes are populated by characters from folklore and mythology, in some cases existing only as faceless shadows. At a time where the real world is filled with screaming headlines and endless stressors, Essenhigh’s magic garden offers a lovely, transporting respite.
Miles McEnery Gallery is located at 525 West 22nd Street.
What it looks like:
Inka Essenhigh, Forever Young (2020). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Inka Essenhigh, Mushroom King (2020). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Installation view, “Inka Essenhigh” at Miles McEnery Gallery. Image: Christopher Burke Studio. Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
Inka Essenhigh, Dawn’s Early Light (2019). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Installation view, “Inka Essenhigh” at Miles McEnery Gallery. Image: Christopher Burke Studio. Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
Inka Essenhigh, Orange Fall (2020). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Inka Essenhigh, Predawn in Early Spring (2020). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Inka Essenhigh, The Last Party (2020). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Inka Essenhigh, Purple Pods (2020). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Inka Essenhigh, Full Bloom (2020). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Inka Essenhigh, Purple Pod Beans (2019). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Inka Essenhigh, Queen Anne’s Lace (2020). Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY.
Installation view, “Inka Essenhigh” at Miles McEnery Gallery. Image: Christopher Burke Studio. Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
Installation view, “Inka Essenhigh” at Miles McEnery Gallery. Image: Christopher Burke Studio. Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
Installation view, “Inka Essenhigh” at Miles McEnery Gallery. Image: Christopher Burke Studio. Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
Installation view, “Inka Essenhigh” at Miles McEnery Gallery. Image: Christopher Burke Studio. Courtesy of the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York, NY
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