CULTURE

Brushes with Greatness


W visits the studios of eight women painters who are featured in The Museum of Modern Art’s new exhibit “The Forever Now”—and finds not 
a single wallflower in the bunch.

1
Photography by Stefan Ruiz

“The studio is where I digest.” -Julie Mehretu. Read more from the artist here.

Mehretu in her studio.

2
Photography by Stefan Ruiz

“The power that a painting can have is always mysterious.” -Charline von Heyl. Read more about this artist here.

Von Heyl in her studio.

3
Photography by Stefan Ruiz

“Don’t get me started on the history of Coney Island.” -Mary Weatherford. Read more from the artist here.

Weatherford with From the Mountain to the Sea, 2014.

4
Photography by Stefan Ruiz

“I’m more interested in things that are awkward and clunky and complicated.”-Amy Sillman. Read more from the artist here.

Sillman with several works from 2013–2014.

5
Photography by Stefan Ruiz

“I like fighting my way through, not knowing what I’m going to do.” -Laura Owens. Read more from the artist here.

Owens in front of wallpaper she designed.

6
Photography by Stefan Ruiz

“I’m always trying to redefine and reposition myself. That’s what you do as an artist.” -Kerstin Brätsch. Read more from the artist here.

Brätsch in her Williamsburg, Brooklyn, studio with one of her pieces.

7
Photography by Stefan Ruiz

“Bernini spent his life making stone look like fabric, I wanted to do the opposite.” -Dianna Molzan. Read more from the artist here.

Molzan with two of her pieces.

8
Photography by Stefan Ruiz

“These portraits are about color, shape, balance, symmetry. It’s as close to pure formalism as I’m probably ever going to get.” -Nicole Eisenman. Read more from the artist here.

Eisenman with works in progress.