Paintings that tell a story are back

“Memory Meets Imagination," Adam de Boer’s current show at the DC Arts Center represents a refreshing resurgence of the narrative painting.  His nine paintings depict situations set against the backdrop of Mallorca, Spain and California.  When attending the show’s opening I was struck by my inability to recall the last time I had seen a solo exhibition of narrative work.  It seems as though this genre of art has faded in recent years.  I remembered an article I read online a couple of years ago where the author made a similar observation, causing him to re-examine the definition of narrative painting.  According to the glossary at safronart.com, narrative painting is defined as “a painting that tells a story through its forms, or where a story line is a prominent feature."  After the opening I sent an email to Adam de Boer asking a few questions about his work.  I was curious as to how he initially became interested in the narrative genre.  He responded by writing, “I am interested in narrative painting because I like stories and people and find it important for me to document life in some way." I cannot think of a better motivating factor than that.

Adam de Boer’s paintings invite the viewer into a different world - a world he is familiar with, but one that may provide an escape to someone looking at his work.   Cala San Vicens depicts a tropical locale where figures frolic in the water and lounge on the beach.  The figures appear close to the surface of the painting creating a sense of welcoming.  When viewing this piece I felt immersed in the setting, as if I was an actual component of de Boer’s world.   In Du-Graff Wedding there is  a greater sense of distance between the viewer and the figures in the painting.  However, de Boer paints such an intimate scene a feeling of escapism is again evoked.  

Adam de Boer uses family members and friends as models for his narrative paintings.  His figures take precedent in some paintings while the setting acts as the primary focus in others.  Regardless of the content, each painting reflects a pleasant unification between the figures and their surroundings.  De Boer shares aspects of his life with the world “by witnessing something interesting/beautiful/incredible and simply trying to summarize it in an image” (Adam de Boer).

Adam de Boer “Memory Meets Imagination Halfway” runs from January 15 through February 21 at DC Arts Center, located at 2438 18th St NW.