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Gideon Rubin
Mexican Summer, 8 September - 17 October 2009
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Gideon Rubin: Mexican Summer

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Overview
Two little boys, one in a sailor's outfit, sit in the foreground

“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

 

Gideon Rubin’s paintings are replete with dichotomy. Their subject matter, taken from a found early twentieth-century family photo album, is unapologetically nostalgic – yet the work is not saccharine.

 

Austere and elemental, the palate is subdued, subtle, seemingly faded. Forms are reduced to a few sure brushstrokes that suggest rather than describe a figure or landscape. Identifying facial features are lost, rendered in a swirl or smudge of paint. Areas of the picture have had the paint scraped away or have never had pigment applied to the raw, natural-colored linen. Yet for paintings of such compositional economy, they luxuriate in the sensuality of oil paint. Rubin’s brushwork – energetic, thick and three-dimensional – is frankly joyful.

 

Figures of children, parents, a glimpse of landscape – the paintings capture the private moments of a family on holiday. With their lovingly rendered subjects, the pictures are intimate. What could be more personal than a lost family photo album? Or generic? Viewing these paintings might have been a voyeuristic experience, but instead it’s more like the memory of something that’s at the point of fading completely. Or like remembering a history that you were told about but never actually experienced. Though these are another family’s pictures, they might have been your own. These insignificant moments are the stuff of collective memory – the minutia that makes up the meaningful part of our lives.

 

Gideon Rubin was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, and lives in London. He received his MFA from Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London. His work has been shown in solo and group exhibitions in New York, Tel Aviv, London, San Francisco and throughout Europe.

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Works
  • Faceless mother wearing a long purple skirt and white blouse sits cross-legged with her young faceless baby in her lap in front of a brick background.
    Gideon Rubin
    Purple Dress, 2009
    oil on canvas
    48.07 x 40.19 inches
    122 x 102 cms
  • Two young faceless girls in blue striped bathing suits wade in shallow water in front of a bridge.
    Gideon Rubin
    On the Beach, 2009
    oil on linen
    7.88 x 9.85 inches
    20 x 25 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EOn%20the%20Beach%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2009%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20linen%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E7.88%20x%209.85%20inches%3Cbr/%3E20%20x%2025%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Two small faceless children look at their reflections in small pool of water.
    Gideon Rubin
    Reflection, 2009
    oil on linen
    9.85 x 7.88 inches
    25 x 20 cms
  • Two young faceless children play with a board game on the floor.
    Gideon Rubin
    Playing, 2009
    oil on canvas
    7.88 x 9.85 inches
    20 x 25 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EPlaying%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2009%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E7.88%20x%209.85%20inches%3Cbr/%3E20%20x%2025%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Young girl wearing pink skirt and purple blouse holds large bouquet obscuring her face as she walks to the left in profile view.
    Gideon Rubin
    White Bouquet, 2009
    oil on canvas
    10.05 x 7.88 inches
    25.5 x 20 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EWhite%20Bouquet%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2009%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E10.05%20x%207.88%20inches%3Cbr/%3E25.5%20x%2020%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Two small children stand at the edge of a pool of water. One, a faceless girl in a white dress, faces towards the viewer and the other, a boy in blue clothes, gazes over the pool’s edge.
    Gideon Rubin
    Pond, 2009
    oil on linen
    41.76 x 39.79 inches
    106 x 101 cms
  • Young faceless boy in blue sits on a brown horse that’s facing the right in front of trees and a brick wall in the background.
    Gideon Rubin
    Horse, 2008
    oil on canvas
    48 1/8 x 40 1/4 inches/122.1 x 102.1 cm
  • Faceless mother in long skirt and blouse holds faceless infant against her body while gazing towards the viewer. Behind her, green nature scene is depicted on exposed cardboard surface.
    Gideon Rubin
    Mother and Child, 2008
    gouache on cardboard
    8.67 x 8.27 inches
    22 x 21 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EMother%20and%20Child%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Egouache%20on%20cardboard%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E8.67%20x%208.27%20inches%3Cbr/%3E22%20x%2021%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Small faceless girl in white dress and bonnet is holding a single red rose while facing the viewer. She stands in front of green foliage painted on exposed cardboard background.
    Gideon Rubin
    Girl Holding a Red Flower, 2008
    gouache on cardboard
    7.49 x 7.49 inches
    19 x 19 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EGirl%20Holding%20a%20Red%20Flower%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Egouache%20on%20cardboard%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E7.49%20x%207.49%20inches%3Cbr/%3E19%20x%2019%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Small faceless person in white robe stands in tall weeds in front of a house to the right side of the composition. On the far left, the edge is exposed ripped cardboard.
    Gideon Rubin
    House, 2008
    gouache on cardboard
    6.7 x 8.67 inches
    17 x 22 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EHouse%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Egouache%20on%20cardboard%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E6.7%20x%208.67%20inches%3Cbr/%3E17%20x%2022%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Faceless father in suit standing in profile view holds the hand of his young faceless daughter who is facing the viewer. Both stand in front of a house exterior painted on exposed cardboard background.
    Gideon Rubin
    Father and Daughter, 2008
    gouache on cardboard
    9.85 x 7.88 inches
    25 x 20 cms
  • Young faceless boy in suit sits in front of green background on exposed cardboard surface.
    Gideon Rubin
    Boy, 2008
    gouache on cardboard
    10.24 x 7.49 inches
    26 x 19 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBoy%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Egouache%20on%20cardboard%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E10.24%20x%207.49%20inches%3Cbr/%3E26%20x%2019%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Small faceless girl rides brown horse facing the right. Next to the horse is a faceless man. Green nature scene is painted in the background on exposed cardboard surface.
    Gideon Rubin
    Girl on a Horse, 2008
    gouache on cardboard
    9.85 x 6.7 inches
    25 x 17 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EGirl%20on%20a%20Horse%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Egouache%20on%20cardboard%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E9.85%20x%206.7%20inches%3Cbr/%3E25%20x%2017%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • On surface of exposed cardboard with writing, faceless man in suit sits in chair with faceless daughter on his lap, helping her read.
    Gideon Rubin
    Reading, 2008
    gouache on cardboard
    7.49 x 7.88 inches
    19 x 20 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EReading%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Egouache%20on%20cardboard%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E7.49%20x%207.88%20inches%3Cbr/%3E19%20x%2020%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Young faceless girl stands on dirt path holding faceless doll. Nature scene of trees and mountains is painted on exposed cardboard background.
    Gideon Rubin
    Girl with Doll, 2008
    gouache on cardboard
    8.27 x 6.7 inches
    21 x 17 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EGirl%20with%20Doll%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Egouache%20on%20cardboard%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E8.27%20x%206.7%20inches%3Cbr/%3E21%20x%2017%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Two faceless children wearing white stand facing the viewer in front of trees in the background.
    Gideon Rubin
    Brother and Sister, 2008
    oil on canvas
    48.07 x 40.19 inches
    122 x 102 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBrother%20and%20Sister%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E48.07%20x%2040.19%20inches%3Cbr/%3E122%20x%20102%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Faceless mother wearing a long red skirt and white blouse holds her faceless young baby against her body in front of a grassy background with a tree to the right.
    Gideon Rubin
    Mother and Child, 2008
    oil on linen
    22.06 x 19.7 inches
    56 x 50 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EMother%20and%20Child%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20linen%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E22.06%20x%2019.7%20inches%3Cbr/%3E56%20x%2050%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Pool of water reflects the trees and other landscape in the background.
    Gideon Rubin
    Blue Water, 2008
    oil on canvas
    40.19 x 48.07 inches
    102 x 122 cms
  • Small faceless child wearing a white dress raises her hands as if about to clap them together in front of a gray background.
    Gideon Rubin
    White Dress, 2009
    oil on linen
    11.82 x 9.85 inches
    30 x 25 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EWhite%20Dress%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2009%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20linen%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E11.82%20x%209.85%20inches%3Cbr/%3E30%20x%2025%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Young faceless girl in red and faceless boy in blue stand together on a ledge in front of a gray background. The girl points to the left of the canvas.
    Gideon Rubin
    Red and Blue, 2009
    oil on linen
    11.82 x 9.85 inches
    30 x 25 cms
  • Two faceless children, a girl in white and a boy in a blue sailor's outfit, stand posed next to each other, in front of a tree and brick background.
    Gideon Rubin
    White and Blue, 2008
    oil on board
    15.76 x 15.76 inches
    40 x 40 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EWhite%20and%20Blue%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2008%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20board%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E15.76%20x%2015.76%20inches%3Cbr/%3E40%20x%2040%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Young faceless girl in white dress pushes black pram to the left in front of a big building with hedges.
    Gideon Rubin
    Baby Doll Pram, 2009
    oil on board
    15.76 x 15.76 inches
    40 x 40 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EBaby%20Doll%20Pram%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2009%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20board%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E15.76%20x%2015.76%20inches%3Cbr/%3E40%20x%2040%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Small girl is walking and holding a giant white bouquet that obscures her face. Behind her is a gray fence, grass and sky.
    Gideon Rubin
    White Bouquet [lrg], 2009
    oil on canvas
    48.07 x 40.19 inches
    122 x 102 cms
  • A faceless mother poses with her two young faceless children, a baby girl and a toddler boy, in front of a green nature background.
    Gideon Rubin
    Mother, 2009
    oil on linen
    48.07 x 40.19 inches
    122 x 102 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EMother%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2009%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20linen%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E48.07%20x%2040.19%20inches%3Cbr/%3E122%20x%20102%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Three young faceless girls gather around a tree trunk facing the viewer. The oldest one sits with the youngest in her lap, and the middle child stands behind them.
    Gideon Rubin
    Girls, 2009
    oil on linen
    15.76 x 11.82 inches
    40 x 30 cms
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EGideon%20Rubin%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EGirls%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2009%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20linen%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E15.76%20x%2011.82%20inches%3Cbr/%3E40%20x%2030%20cms%3C/div%3E
  • Young faceless boy in gray coat and shorts walks towards the viewer. Behind him, a girl in pink skirt and green shirt holds large bouquet of flowers and is partially cut out of the composition.
    Gideon Rubin
    Boy and a White Bouquet, 2009
    oil on linen
    15.76 x 11.82 inches
    40 x 30 cms
Press
  • Red Ribbon, 2006, installation view

    Blank Expressions

    KRISTOPHER HOUSER, The New York Times, August 30, 2009
  • Red Ribbon, 2006, installation view

    Studio Visit: Gideon Rubin

    KRISTOPHER HOUSER, The New York Times T Magazine, August 14, 2009

Related artist

  • The image is a painting of a woman sitting on a bench outdoors. The style is loose and expressive, with broad, fluid brushstrokes that capture the movement of light and shadow rather than detailed features. The woman wears a sleeveless blue top and shorts

    Gideon Rubin

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