Tala Madani, Brown Cake, 2007, Oil on canvas, 8" x 10”
Size Matters: XS- Recent Small-Scale Paintings

Size Matters: XS – Recent Small-Scale Painting investigates issues of scale in contemporary painting and features works by many of today's most exceptional established and emerging artists. While vast wall murals and large-scale canvases often draw attention due to their sheer size, the near-miniature proportions of the 42 works in Size Matters: XS represent a new interest among contemporary artists in exploring the expressive possibilities of small-scale painting. Demanding close inspection, smaller works are often the result of a meticulous activity and therefore contain a legibility and intimacy often denied by more expansive approaches.

Anj Smith, Appurtenancia, 2005, Oil on linen, 10" x 13.8”

Size Matters: XS brings together a diverse group of international artists for whom working in minute proportions is an integral part of their respective practices. Abstraction, figuration, photo-realism, and caricature are just a few of the art historical genres reinterpreted by artists in the exhibition. With an average size of approximately one-foot square, these paintings attest to the fact that many artists are producing complex and unconventional statements that are enhanced rather than restricted by the tight confines of the picture plane. Some works call to mind small religious icons used for devotional purposes while others appear to be strikingly informal, highly personal artistic statements. Featuring work produced within the last five years, the exhibition also includes new paintings produced specifically for this exhibition by Thordis Adalsteinsdottir, Andrew Sendor, Aaron Johnson, Ridley Howard, and Skyler Brickley.

Justin Allen, Red Grill, 2003-5, Oil on masonite, 6" x 6”

Size Matters: XS – Recent Small-Scale Painting is organized by the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art (HVCCA), Peekskill, NY.

Including works by:
Thordis Adalsteinsdottir
Justin Allen
Francis Alÿs
Amy Bennett
Michaël Borremans
Skyler Brickley
Guillermo Caivano
Ross Chisholm
Nigel Cooke
Paul Doran
Tim Eitel
Adrian Ghenie
Trenton Doyle Hancock
Ridley Howard
Aaron Johnson
Charles Karubian
Tala Madani
Alex Pollard
Ulf Puder
Clare Rojas
Serban Savu
Andrew Sendor
Anj Smith
Mathew Weir

Dates: March 28- August 24, 2008

Admission: Free for KMA Members, $5 for non-members. Admission is free on Tuesdays.

Media support for this exhibition is provided by:



knoxville museum of artmuseum infoactivitiesexhibitionseducationmemberspressguild

info@kmaonline.org • tel: 865.525.6101 • 1050 World’s Fair Park • Knoxville, TN 37916-1653

Tuesday-Thursday 10am- 5pm • Friday 10am- 8pm • Saturday 10am- 5pm • Sunday 1pm- 5pm
(Closed Mondays; Free Admission Tuesdays)

Copyright © 2006 Knoxville Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved.