“It’s not an overstatement to mention that we’re experiencing the dawn of Joan Jonas,” expressed Randy Kennedy on Monday evening at the National Arts Club. The seasoned arts journalist was accompanied onstage by Jonas, who at 87 is having a significant time in the spotlight, as she is currently at the forefront of two exhibitions in New York: one at the Museum of Modern Art, with a captivating retrospective of her five-decade-long career that started in March, and another featuring her enchanting works on paper at the Drawing Center in SoHo. In addition to prestigious art venues, her creations also adorn graphic tees, mirrored handbags, and fringed clothing from Rachel Comey’s exhilarating spring 2024 lineup.
To those unfamiliar, Jonas is the pioneering American artist who was active in the early stages of happening and video art beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Consistently innovative, she crafted her distinct language using sound, movement, visual emblems, and a continual examination of concepts. She involved folklore, ecology, and a feminist perspective, transitioning from grand performances in unoccupied lots in downtown Manhattan to delicate sketches of cherished animals. She has inspired numerous young artists who, akin to her, strive to challenge artistic conventions and explore fresh paths.
“She operates at this delightful crossroads that genuinely encourages cultural diplomacy,” remarked Phillip Edward Spradley, who leads the National Arts Club’s art and technology committee and who organized Monday evening’s conversation between Jonas and Kennedy.