Skidmore Contemporary Art is delighted to present “Maxine Smith: Artists’ Wives and Lovers,” and Jhina Alvarado: Singular Glamour.”

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As part of its long-standing commitment to women artists, Skidmore Contemporary Art is pleased to present new paintings by LA artist, Maxine Smith. Her new paintings pay homage to the wives, girlfriends, and lovers behind some of the world’s most famous artists. People know the names Picasso, Modigliani, and Matisse. Early in the 20th century, these men created a new movement known as modern art—and changed the world in the process. But what about the women who helped them realize their vision?

Although the work of these female artists command huge prices today, these artists were at first misunderstood and scorned by the public. Many women experienced cruel on-and-off relationships and endured serial infidelities, while living in extreme poverty. Maxine Smith stives to capture the strength these women had to withstand rejection—as well as the demands of very difficult and self-centered, creative men.

This is the 4th exhibition of Maxine Smith’s work at Skidmore Contemporary Art. Each one was a great success. In today’s MeToo movement, her paintings celebrate empowering women in all walks of life. These canvases are as vibrant, individual and memorable as the people she paints.

“Singular Glamour” is Jhina Alvarado’s first solo show at Skidmore Contemporary Art. “In my current series, Wallflowers, I continue my exploration of long forgotten black and white photos of the 1930s to 1960s while attempting to resurrect these memories in a contemporary way.

This collection of paintings focuses on old Hollywood glamour, the glitzy, and seduction of an era when glamour reigned supreme. It is her triumphant return to painting after taking time off to recover from breast cancer. These paintings are a symbol of a gratitude to be alive and the good things yet to come.

Jhina Alvarado is a self-taught contemporary realism artist who works in oils and encaustic wax. She is represented by galleries across the United States and her work has been featured in various international and national magazines, blogs, and art technique books. Her paintings of Grace Kelly were recently acquired by Prince Albert of Monaco and is now part of the royal collection. She currently works as an AP calculus teacher at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts and paints in her home studio in San Francisco, California where she lives with her husband, four-year-old twins, and a spunky Italian greyhound named Albert.

On view: October 12 – November 9, 2019

Where: Skidmore Contemporary Art, Bergamot Station, B-4, 2525 Michigan Avenue, SM, 90405
Website: https://skidmorecontemporaryart.com/