FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 20, 2023

New York, New York – Art21 is proud to announce the premiere of “Aliza Nisenbaum: Painting from Life” on Wednesday, August 2, at 12:00 PM ET. The third 2023 release of Art21’s digital film series, Extended Play, “Aliza Nisenbaum: Painting from Life” offers a look into the work and process of the artist.

“An encounter with another person elicits an ethical demand, and that is something that ended up coming into my work,” says artist Aliza Niseumbaum. “This idea of sitting with somebody face to face, and painting them from life. A lot of painting, because of its materiality, almost feels like the presence of another person.”

Artist Aliza Nisenbaum began both her friendship with Viglolforica (Veronica) Ramírez and her observational portrait painting practice at artist Tania Bruguera’s Immigrant Movement International (IMI) in 2012. Over ten years later, the seeds of solidarity, empowerment, and art-making planted at IMI continue to bloom through their friendship and continued engagement with the community of Corona, Queens. Culminating with the opening of Nisenbaum’s Queens Museum exhibition “Queens, Lindo y Querido,” this film follows the development of Nisenbaum’s observational portraiture and her friendship with Ramírez, while highlighting the power of a socially engaged art practice to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities. 

“Much like Aliza Nisenbaum’s paintings, this film is the result of relationships that grew over many years,” says the film’s Director, Ian Forster. “Art21 first filmed Aliza with Viglolforica and her daughter Marissa in 2013. Now filming with the trio again a decade later, we can see how Aliza’s painting practice has evolved and how community-based art practices have affected all three of their lives in profound ways.”

Tune in to the premiere of “Aliza Nisenbaum: Painting from Life” on Wednesday, August 2, at 12:00 PM ET. at Art21.org and on Art21’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/art21org. To learn more email Art21 Manager of Communications, Hannah DeGarmo, at [email protected]. 

Join Art21 in partnership with Queens Museum on Saturday, July 29th at 2:00pm for a special early screening of the film followed by a panel discussion. “To Hold and Behold: Queens, Lindo y Querido Panel Discussion*” will be in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation to English. RSVP and more information available at https://queensmuseum.org/.

About Extended Play

Art21’s Extended Play digital series provides unmediated, behind-the-scenes access to today’s leading artists. Through process-revealing footage and intimate interviews, these curatorially-driven films chronicle a diverse scale of international projects, ranging from major commissions to exploratory sketches. Produced in close collaboration with artists, Extended Play uncovers the provocative ideas, timely cultural influences, and biographical anecdotes that inspire the artists featured throughout the series.

Extended Play is presented by the Marina Kellen French Foundation, with support from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Art21 Contemporary Council, and individual contributors. Producers: Barbara & Andrew Gundlach.

About Art21

Art21 is a celebrated global leader in presenting thought-provoking and sophisticated content about contemporary art, and the go-to place to learn first-hand from the artists of our time. A nonprofit organization, Art21’s mission is to inspire a more creative world through the works and words of contemporary artists. Learn more at Art21.org.

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Press Contact

Hannah DeGarmo
Manager of Communications, Art21
[email protected]