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Red Grooms

March 12 – May 8, 2021

Selected Works Thumbnails
Colorful acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood work by Red Grooms featuring a bustling urban street scene with construction, people walking and car traffic

Keep Moving, 2017 
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
35 1/2 x 49 x 10 3/4 in. / 90.2 x 124.5 x 27.3 cm 

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood work by Red Groom of a bustling urban scene featuring figures in movement, a one way sign, and a paint storefronts

Walk On By, 2017  
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
34 1/2 x 45 1/4 x 4 1/2 in. / 87.6 x 114.9 x 11.4 cm 

Narrow and vertical acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood piece by Red Grooms of a curvy apartment building filling the length of the work with different scenes in each window and multi-colored clouds against a blue sky over a bird's-eye view buildings and park space

Room with a View, 2017

acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
96 1/2 x 33 x 4 in. / 245.1 x 83.8 x 10.2 cm 

Red Grooms artwork depicting a colorful street view of New York City in autumn using exaggerated perspective.

Autumn in New York, 2017 
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
37 1/2 x 62 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. / 95.3 x 158.8 x 36.8 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Installation view of a Red Grooms framed acrylic on paper artwork featuring a colorful urban scene with water and a sunset in the horizon

A View of the Sea, 2017

acrylic on paper

51 1/4 x 65 1/4 in. / 130.2 x 165.7 cm

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms featuring the outside view of the Strand filled with many figures in exaggerated perspective

The Strand, 2015-2017  
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
73 1/3 x 118 1/2 x 9 in. / 186.3 x 301 x 22.9 cm 

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms featuring a night scene on Canal Street with alien motifs and figures with bags spelling MOMA, a subway station, and figures riding motor bikes in the air

Night Falls on Canal Street, 2016

acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
40 1/2 x 28 1/4 x 5 in. / 102.9 x 71.8 x 12.7 cm 

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms of a bird's-eye view of Manhattan featuring a blue cloudy sky, many buildings, and boats in motion

Manhattan Moves Up, 2016
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
29 x 23 x 5 3/4 in. / 73.7 x 58.4 x 14.6 cm 

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms of an exaggerated bird's-eye perspective of a construction worker climbing a ladder over city buildings and water

Vertigo, 2016  
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
33 x 24 x 7 in. / 83.8 x 61 x 17.8 cm 

Acrylic, ink and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms of the New York Harbor with people on yellow boats and seagulls flying

Harbor Lights, 2016

acrylic, ink and epoxy mounted on wood

41 1/4 x 61 1/2 x 5 3/4 in. / 104.8 x 156.2 x 14.6 cm

Charcoal, acrylic and crayon on paper artwork by Red Grooms of a woman with red hair walking on the street wearing a short yellow dress with flowers, a red hooded cape with red platform heeled sandals and passing a wolf dressed in striped pants, a white and orange vest, and pink sandals

Lil' Red on Broome Street, 2014  
charcoal, acrylic and crayon on paper

33 3/4 x 35 1/2 in. / 85.73 x 90.2 cm 

Framed acrylic on board artwork by Red Grooms featuring a portrait of a man with blue hair and wearing a Charlie's Deli shirt, eating a cream cheese bagel against a background that spells "Cream Cheese" in bold yellow lettering

Bagels and Cream Cheese, 2011

acrylic on board

60 x 40 x 2 in. / 152.4 x 101.6 x 5.1 cm

Tempera and acrylic on board artwork by Red Grooms featuring an urban street scene with enlarged figures in the foreground: a blonde haired woman the size of a building walking on her cell phone and a slightly smaller man dressed in a shirt saying "you're not in Kansas anymore."

Mr. Bones, 2011

tempera and acrylic on board

60 x 40 x 3 in. / 152.4 x 101.6 x 7.6 cm

Framed oil on canvas artwork by Red Grooms featuring a man in a brown suit and hat eating eggs and bacon in a diner at night and being served by a waitress dressed in blue

Eggs over Midnight, 2007

oil on canvas 
14 x 14 in. / 35.6 x 35.6 cm 

The Client, 2007
oil on canvas
14 x 14 in. / 35.6 x 35.6 cm
framed: 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 2 in. / 39.4 x 39.4 x 5.1 cm

The Client, 2007
oil on canvas
14 x 14 in. / 35.6 x 35.6 cm
framed: 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 2 in. / 39.4 x 39.4 x 5.1 cm

Framed artwork by Red Grooms of an oil painting on canvas of a colorful crowd of figures smiling and socializing. Featuring a massive smiling mouth at the top center of the piece with a person laying horizontal below it.

The Funny Place, 2005

oil on canvas 
50 x 40 in. / 127 x 101.6 cm 

Chez Red, 2004

latex and acrylic on paper mounted on panel

107 x 156 in. / 271.78 x 396.2 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Chez Red, 2004

latex and acrylic on paper mounted on panel

107 x 156 in. / 271.78 x 396.2 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Queen Peggy, 2004
oil paint over aluminum construction, edition of 2
45 1/4 x 43 x 31 1/2 in. / 114.9 x 109.2 x 80 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Queen Peggy, 2004
oil paint over aluminum construction, edition of 2
45 1/4 x 43 x 31 1/2 in. / 114.9 x 109.2 x 80 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Ink and crayon on paper artwork by Red Grooms of people eating inside of a deli and emphasizing their large bites of food such as sandwiches and hot dogs

Deli, 2003
ink and crayon on paper 
22 1/2 x 30 in. / 57.2 x 76.2 cm 

Headlights, 2002

acrylic on wood

22 1/8 x 22 x 11 1/2 in. / 56.2 x 55.88 x 29.21 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Headlights, 2002

acrylic on wood

22 1/8 x 22 x 11 1/2 in. / 56.2 x 55.88 x 29.21 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

acrylic on board work by Red Grooms in mostly black and white featuring the outside view of a tattoo parlor and a person with his hands behind is back and looking inside the shop as the artist works on his client

Study for Tattoo Parlor, 1998

acrylic on board 
53 x 40 in. / 134.6 x 101.6 cm 

The Plaza, 1995
acrylic on a mixed media construction
69 1/2 x 91 1/4 x 18 in. / 176.5 x 231.8 x 45.7 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

The Plaza, 1995
acrylic on a mixed media construction
69 1/2 x 91 1/4 x 18 in. / 176.5 x 231.8 x 45.7 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Mixed media construction by Red Grooms of a multi-dimensional scene outside of a cathedral surrounding by buildings and pink clouds. Sculpted figures wearing hats and in movement line the bottom of the canvas lining outside of the cathedral.

Easter Parade, 1994

mixed media construction

88 1/8 x 86 3/4 x 34 in. / 223.8 x 220.4 x 86.4 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

The Duck House, 1994
mixed media construction
56 1/2 x 58 1/2 x 28 in. / 143.5 x 148.6 x 71.1 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

The Duck House, 1994
mixed media construction
56 1/2 x 58 1/2 x 28 in. / 143.5 x 148.6 x 71.1 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Strike, 1992
mixed media construction
31 1/2 x 73 1/2 x 49 1/2 in. / 80 x 186.7 x 125.7 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Strike, 1992
mixed media construction
31 1/2 x 73 1/2 x 49 1/2 in. / 80 x 186.7 x 125.7 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Joltin' Joe Takes a Swing, 1985-1988
oil on wood
61 x 62 x 62 in. / 154.9 x 157.5 x 157.5 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Joltin' Joe Takes a Swing, 1985-1988
oil on wood
61 x 62 x 62 in. / 154.9 x 157.5 x 157.5 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Walking the Dogs, 1981
painted canvas, papier-mâché and metal chain on wood support
36 3/4 x 20 x 22 1/2 in. / 93.3 x 50.8 x 57.1 cm

Walking the Dogs, 1981
painted canvas, papier-mâché and metal chain on wood support
36 3/4 x 20 x 22 1/2 in. / 93.3 x 50.8 x 57.1 cm

The Big Game, 1980-1982
painted aluminum, edition of 3
94 x 109 3/4 x 16 in. / 238.8 x 278.8 x 40.6 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

The Big Game, 1980-1982
painted aluminum, edition of 3
94 x 109 3/4 x 16 in. / 238.8 x 278.8 x 40.6 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

From Ruckus Manhattan, Wall Street - Newsstand, Lamppost and Bum, 1976
mixed media construction
113 x 144 x 50 in. / 287 x 365.8 x 127 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

From Ruckus Manhattan, Wall Street - Newsstand, Lamppost and Bum, 1976
mixed media construction
113 x 144 x 50 in. / 287 x 365.8 x 127 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Colorful acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood work by Red Grooms featuring a bustling urban street scene with construction, people walking and car traffic

Keep Moving, 2017 
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
35 1/2 x 49 x 10 3/4 in. / 90.2 x 124.5 x 27.3 cm 

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood work by Red Groom of a bustling urban scene featuring figures in movement, a one way sign, and a paint storefronts

Walk On By, 2017  
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
34 1/2 x 45 1/4 x 4 1/2 in. / 87.6 x 114.9 x 11.4 cm 

Narrow and vertical acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood piece by Red Grooms of a curvy apartment building filling the length of the work with different scenes in each window and multi-colored clouds against a blue sky over a bird's-eye view buildings and park space

Room with a View, 2017

acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
96 1/2 x 33 x 4 in. / 245.1 x 83.8 x 10.2 cm 

Red Grooms artwork depicting a colorful street view of New York City in autumn using exaggerated perspective.

Autumn in New York, 2017 
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
37 1/2 x 62 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. / 95.3 x 158.8 x 36.8 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Installation view of a Red Grooms framed acrylic on paper artwork featuring a colorful urban scene with water and a sunset in the horizon

A View of the Sea, 2017

acrylic on paper

51 1/4 x 65 1/4 in. / 130.2 x 165.7 cm

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms featuring the outside view of the Strand filled with many figures in exaggerated perspective

The Strand, 2015-2017  
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
73 1/3 x 118 1/2 x 9 in. / 186.3 x 301 x 22.9 cm 

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms featuring a night scene on Canal Street with alien motifs and figures with bags spelling MOMA, a subway station, and figures riding motor bikes in the air

Night Falls on Canal Street, 2016

acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
40 1/2 x 28 1/4 x 5 in. / 102.9 x 71.8 x 12.7 cm 

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms of a bird's-eye view of Manhattan featuring a blue cloudy sky, many buildings, and boats in motion

Manhattan Moves Up, 2016
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
29 x 23 x 5 3/4 in. / 73.7 x 58.4 x 14.6 cm 

Acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms of an exaggerated bird's-eye perspective of a construction worker climbing a ladder over city buildings and water

Vertigo, 2016  
acrylic, ink, mixed media and epoxy mounted on wood 
33 x 24 x 7 in. / 83.8 x 61 x 17.8 cm 

Acrylic, ink and epoxy mounted on wood artwork by Red Grooms of the New York Harbor with people on yellow boats and seagulls flying

Harbor Lights, 2016

acrylic, ink and epoxy mounted on wood

41 1/4 x 61 1/2 x 5 3/4 in. / 104.8 x 156.2 x 14.6 cm

Charcoal, acrylic and crayon on paper artwork by Red Grooms of a woman with red hair walking on the street wearing a short yellow dress with flowers, a red hooded cape with red platform heeled sandals and passing a wolf dressed in striped pants, a white and orange vest, and pink sandals

Lil' Red on Broome Street, 2014  
charcoal, acrylic and crayon on paper

33 3/4 x 35 1/2 in. / 85.73 x 90.2 cm 

Framed acrylic on board artwork by Red Grooms featuring a portrait of a man with blue hair and wearing a Charlie's Deli shirt, eating a cream cheese bagel against a background that spells "Cream Cheese" in bold yellow lettering

Bagels and Cream Cheese, 2011

acrylic on board

60 x 40 x 2 in. / 152.4 x 101.6 x 5.1 cm

Tempera and acrylic on board artwork by Red Grooms featuring an urban street scene with enlarged figures in the foreground: a blonde haired woman the size of a building walking on her cell phone and a slightly smaller man dressed in a shirt saying "you're not in Kansas anymore."

Mr. Bones, 2011

tempera and acrylic on board

60 x 40 x 3 in. / 152.4 x 101.6 x 7.6 cm

Framed oil on canvas artwork by Red Grooms featuring a man in a brown suit and hat eating eggs and bacon in a diner at night and being served by a waitress dressed in blue

Eggs over Midnight, 2007

oil on canvas 
14 x 14 in. / 35.6 x 35.6 cm 

The Client, 2007
oil on canvas
14 x 14 in. / 35.6 x 35.6 cm
framed: 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 2 in. / 39.4 x 39.4 x 5.1 cm

The Client, 2007
oil on canvas
14 x 14 in. / 35.6 x 35.6 cm
framed: 15 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 2 in. / 39.4 x 39.4 x 5.1 cm

Framed artwork by Red Grooms of an oil painting on canvas of a colorful crowd of figures smiling and socializing. Featuring a massive smiling mouth at the top center of the piece with a person laying horizontal below it.

The Funny Place, 2005

oil on canvas 
50 x 40 in. / 127 x 101.6 cm 

Chez Red, 2004

latex and acrylic on paper mounted on panel

107 x 156 in. / 271.78 x 396.2 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Chez Red, 2004

latex and acrylic on paper mounted on panel

107 x 156 in. / 271.78 x 396.2 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Queen Peggy, 2004
oil paint over aluminum construction, edition of 2
45 1/4 x 43 x 31 1/2 in. / 114.9 x 109.2 x 80 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Queen Peggy, 2004
oil paint over aluminum construction, edition of 2
45 1/4 x 43 x 31 1/2 in. / 114.9 x 109.2 x 80 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Ink and crayon on paper artwork by Red Grooms of people eating inside of a deli and emphasizing their large bites of food such as sandwiches and hot dogs

Deli, 2003
ink and crayon on paper 
22 1/2 x 30 in. / 57.2 x 76.2 cm 

Headlights, 2002

acrylic on wood

22 1/8 x 22 x 11 1/2 in. / 56.2 x 55.88 x 29.21 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Headlights, 2002

acrylic on wood

22 1/8 x 22 x 11 1/2 in. / 56.2 x 55.88 x 29.21 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

acrylic on board work by Red Grooms in mostly black and white featuring the outside view of a tattoo parlor and a person with his hands behind is back and looking inside the shop as the artist works on his client

Study for Tattoo Parlor, 1998

acrylic on board 
53 x 40 in. / 134.6 x 101.6 cm 

The Plaza, 1995
acrylic on a mixed media construction
69 1/2 x 91 1/4 x 18 in. / 176.5 x 231.8 x 45.7 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

The Plaza, 1995
acrylic on a mixed media construction
69 1/2 x 91 1/4 x 18 in. / 176.5 x 231.8 x 45.7 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Mixed media construction by Red Grooms of a multi-dimensional scene outside of a cathedral surrounding by buildings and pink clouds. Sculpted figures wearing hats and in movement line the bottom of the canvas lining outside of the cathedral.

Easter Parade, 1994

mixed media construction

88 1/8 x 86 3/4 x 34 in. / 223.8 x 220.4 x 86.4 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

The Duck House, 1994
mixed media construction
56 1/2 x 58 1/2 x 28 in. / 143.5 x 148.6 x 71.1 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

The Duck House, 1994
mixed media construction
56 1/2 x 58 1/2 x 28 in. / 143.5 x 148.6 x 71.1 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Strike, 1992
mixed media construction
31 1/2 x 73 1/2 x 49 1/2 in. / 80 x 186.7 x 125.7 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Strike, 1992
mixed media construction
31 1/2 x 73 1/2 x 49 1/2 in. / 80 x 186.7 x 125.7 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Joltin' Joe Takes a Swing, 1985-1988
oil on wood
61 x 62 x 62 in. / 154.9 x 157.5 x 157.5 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Joltin' Joe Takes a Swing, 1985-1988
oil on wood
61 x 62 x 62 in. / 154.9 x 157.5 x 157.5 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Walking the Dogs, 1981
painted canvas, papier-mâché and metal chain on wood support
36 3/4 x 20 x 22 1/2 in. / 93.3 x 50.8 x 57.1 cm

Walking the Dogs, 1981
painted canvas, papier-mâché and metal chain on wood support
36 3/4 x 20 x 22 1/2 in. / 93.3 x 50.8 x 57.1 cm

The Big Game, 1980-1982
painted aluminum, edition of 3
94 x 109 3/4 x 16 in. / 238.8 x 278.8 x 40.6 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

The Big Game, 1980-1982
painted aluminum, edition of 3
94 x 109 3/4 x 16 in. / 238.8 x 278.8 x 40.6 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

From Ruckus Manhattan, Wall Street - Newsstand, Lamppost and Bum, 1976
mixed media construction
113 x 144 x 50 in. / 287 x 365.8 x 127 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

From Ruckus Manhattan, Wall Street - Newsstand, Lamppost and Bum, 1976
mixed media construction
113 x 144 x 50 in. / 287 x 365.8 x 127 cm
Photo: Peter Sumner Walton Bellamy.

Red Grooms - Exhibitions - Marlborough New York

Red Grooms, The Funny Place, 2005.
© Red Grooms, Member of Artists Rights Society (ARS).
 

Press Release

You see, at first, I was intrigued by the myth of the city. Like I told you, that was the first thing. But after that and after I was actually in New York it just became the place. You know, I never even thought about it, I still don’t, I don’t think about it much. It’s just that this is the place where I am. I mean, I’m not that much involved in the personality of this place as something outside of me. Although now almost as a joke I can see it better. As a foreigner, it takes years, a lifetime even to understand New York, it seems. 

— Red Grooms, interview with Paul Cummings, 1974 (via Archives of American Art)

The Directors of Marlborough New York are pleased to celebrate the work of Red Grooms with a survey of his multidimensional visions realized between 1974 and now. The exhibition will open on Friday, March 12, 2021 and will remain on view through Saturday, May 8, 2021. Composed of over 30 paintings and “sculpto-picto-ramas,” the exhibition will explore the artist’s unique methods of execution and reverberating sensibilities. The accompanying publication documenting the installation will feature a text by Thomas Micchelli, noted contributor to The Brooklyn Rail and Hyperallergic.

For over six decades, Red Grooms has embraced all things New York and served as a major chronicler of its famously frenetic lifestyle. Always vibrant, inventive, and witty, Red has reinforced the pride that New Yorkers have for their city. As somewhat of an outsider—originally from Nashville, with early sojourns to Provincetown and Chicago—Grooms has been able to clearly witness what makes the city so unique.

Red Grooms was born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1937 and has lived and worked in New York since 1957. Grooms emerged in the early sixties as a practitioner of performance art, indie film, and happenings at the dawn of Pop Art. He quickly became noted for his immersive installations such as The City of Chicago (1968), The Discount Store (1971), Ruckus Rodeo (1975) and Ruckus Manhattan (1976). The present exhibition will follow his evolution since those early installations with a number of key works.

Notable exhibitions include Red Grooms: A Retrospective, organized by the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (1985), the Whitney Museum of American Art (1987), Red Grooms at Grand Central (1993), and a traveling exhibition of his graphic work organized by the National Academy of Design (2001-04), which traveled for 3 years and 8 venues, the Yale University Art Gallery (2013) and most recently, Red Grooms: Traveling Correspondent (2016) at the Brooks Museum of Art in Memphis. 

The artist’s works have graced numerous public collections including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the Modern Art Museum, Fort Worth, the Hirshhorn Museum, Washington, D.C., the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, the Metropolitan Museum, New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Moderna Museet, Stockholm and many others.

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