Amy Sillman, a 69-year-old abstract painter based in New York, is preparing for a new solo exhibition titled "Alternate Side (Permutations #1–32)" at Dia Bridgehampton, opening June 28. The show will feature a series of recently completed silkscreen and painted works, which Sillman describes as being like Sol LeWitt's line forms but less structured. She plans to paint the gallery walls herself, creating an improvised backdrop for the works. The article also discusses her recent institutional survey "Oh, Clock!" at the Kunstmuseum Bern and Ludwig Forum Aachen, where she curated selections from their collections and painted the walls on a whim.
This article matters because it offers an intimate look at the working process and creative philosophy of a significant contemporary abstract painter. Sillman's approach—blending improvisation with systematic methods, and her willingness to transform gallery spaces through painting—reflects a broader trend of artists taking curatorial and spatial control over their exhibitions. Her Dia show represents a shift from collaborative institutional shows to a fully self-directed presentation, highlighting her evolving practice and the growing importance of site-specific interventions in contemporary art.