Townsend, a curatorial initiative that showcases the work of a global roster of artists, presents “A Portrait of Legacy,” an online exhibition by London-based artist Hugh Mendes.
Well known for his ongoing series of obituary paintings, especially of artists, Mendes also engages politics and popular culture. The show is a survey of Mendes’ career and highlights pivotal developments in the trajectory of his practice. The artist’s work can be viewed as an act of documenting history, an indexing that is created simultaneous to the establishment of his own legacy.
A few of the many paintings include figures like Andy Warhol, Nelson Mandela, Elizabeth Taylor, and more recently Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Lewis.
The death of the artist’s father in 1999 lead to the start of the obituary paintings. He documented his last encounter with his father a year after his passing. “Dead Dad” also known as “The Artist’s Father, deceased” depicts his time spent bedside grieving the loss.
Mendes’ work engages with art history, politics, and popular culture – with the obituary project at the heart of his practice. He has exhibited regularly in London and internationally for over two decades.
In a YouTube video featured on the gallery page, the artist said, “I’ve been able to spend quite a lot of time, up to two weeks with each person — being with them, having them in the studio with me, which is really lovely actually.”
“Partly, I’m doing all this because I’m another dead artist, waiting in the wings,” he continued.
Christopher Milne, who currently resides in Water Mill, is Townsend’s Principal. He has worked at Dia:Beacon, the Stephen Haller Gallery in New York, and on numerous independent projects. He also maintains a studio practice and has exhibited in the United States and internationally.
The show is available for viewing through March 17. To view the exhibit, visit Townsend’s website.