CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 4/21/2014

Philip Guston: Late Works

"The Line" (1978) is reproduced from the new release, Philip Guston: Late Works. In the book, Guston is quoted: "I feel strongly believed in and stated convictions on art have a habit of tumbling and collapsing in front of the canvas, when the act of painting actually begins. Furthermore, I have found that painters of my generation are more candid and provocative in their casual talk and asides, and funnier too. Mark Rothko, after a mutual studio visit, said, 'Phil, you're the best story teller around and I'm the best organ player.' That was in 1957; I still wonder what he had in mind. So many articles appeared with words like sublime, and noble, and he says he's the best organ player around. Franz Kline, in a very easy bar conversation in the fifties, said 'You know what creating really is? To have the capacity to be embarrassed.' And one of the better definitions about painting was Kline's... He said, 'You know, painting is like hand stuffing a mattress.'"