CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 4/26/2015

Peter Doig

"Milky Way" (1989-90) is reproduced from Peter Doig, the catalogue to the artist's recent exhibition at Fondation Beyeler in Basel, published by Hatje Cantz. In conversation with Ulf Küster, Doig refers to the painting: "…"Milky Way"—it's such a ridiculous idea. You know, it may sound like I was being strategic but I think if you're going to do things like that you have to create a kind of fine balance between absurdity and seriousness. I see a lot of people's work and I think, that's a very impressive painting, painted interestingly… it's a good idea—but then there will be something about the figurative element that is lame and it becomes just a joke, and I just lose any interest I initially had in it… There has to be that element of… reality, I suppose."