In the early 1980’s, George Condo coined the neologism “artificial realism” to describe his unique manner of interpreting human contrivance through emotively exaggerative paintings. Rather than growing stale, his work only seems to increase in relevance as reality becomes ever more absurd as a grotesque cartoon. I initially find it difficult not to laugh when confronted by his mixed-up monsters that so aptly emblematize life’s myriad follies. Although the effect is similarly humorous in small-scale reproduction, paintings such as Birdbrain (pictured above, all works 2018) must be seen in person. Blown up on immense canvases, Condo’s characters appear especially preposterous for their grandiose scale. However, upon closer examination, they aren’t so comical. Superficial levity evolves into gloom as one approaches any given painting and gets caught up in dark webs of expressionistic brushwork. Even the cartoonish crowds in Internal Network and What’s the Point? dissemble simplicity; yet trying to make sense of them could occupy a considerable interval. In an artist statement, Condo ruminates on post-truth themes and his own decision-making under the guise of this show’s rhetorical title, “What’s the Point?” The question needs no verbal answer; a sense of purpose emanates from his every painted passage.

Sprüth Magers Los Angeles 
5900 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Show runs through Jun. 1