A new body of work by Nathan Durfee marks a departure from his more figurative-focused paintings and instead casts members of the animal kingdom as the main characters in his playfully illustrative scenes. His distinctive pixelated style persists but the edges have softened as he explores different ways of approaching his canvases.
“I think as an artist when you recognize your style—in my case the patchwork, the squares, the layman cubism—you start to look at how you can incorporate different painting techniques and compositional considerations with that style you’re known for,” says Durfee.
One thing that hasn’t changed in Durfee’s paintings is their narrative nature and, in this latest series, it’s more prominent than ever with a story full of meaning and surprising depth in every piece.
Charleston Strays, oil on panel, 48 x 24 in.
“In terms of subject matter, I am definitely leaning into the whimsy in this round,” says Durfee. “I am still trying to play with my usual narrative themes and trying to tell a story. In this work, the main idea is that these characters are trying to do the best with what they have, whether that’s helping others or bettering their own situation, there is this element of accepting one’s circumstances and making joy out of it.”
This idea comes through in works like Crafting the Flight,in which a goggle-eyed dog sits in an airplane made out of a cardboard box held together with masking tape. In a similar piece, two pups have fashioned themselves a dog house. “On the surface they’re cute dogs in a cardboard box, but they’ve turned it into a home or an adventure, partly through grit, partly through imagination. Again, it’s about making the most of your situation, either with the materials you have or taking what you have and deciding it has to go.”
Finding Your Flock, oil on panel, 24 x 48 in.
At 24 by 48 inches, Finding Your Flock is the unofficial centerpiece of the show and encapsulates another main theme of the show—community. In it, five cats in bird costumes huddle together on a wire, emphasizing the importance of finding your people.
“It’s just a great ensemble of characters,” Durfee says of the piece. “A lot of the other paintings in the show focus on an individual or a specific kind of animal. These cats on a wire are all different breeds and backgrounds and they all are coming together and finding a community on this wire. There’s a duality between the community and self expression—this piece is saying you can have all these wonderful different facets joined together.”
Crafting the Flight, oil on panel, 18 x 18 in.
There’s one real red bird tucked among the imposters. “It stands out as the authentic one and odd one out. I just love the acceptance in that painting, and the love,” he continues.
In Charleston Strays,a gang of cats are launching their DIY rocket from the second-story porch of a typical lowcountry home. Durfee explains that a lot of artists are being pushed out of Charleston due to cost of living or in search of a different lifestyle. “These cool cats are getting out of town,” Durfee laughs.
Bundling Up the Pack, oil on panel, 24 x 48 in.
“This show for me is just a big hug,” he continues. “A big hug for the eyes, A big hug for the soul. I am trying really hard to both capture the stress and the struggles that are iconic and still pretty relevant today, but also soften the edges enough so it doesn’t hurt to see them.”
Fittingly, Durfee’s solo show Feather and Fur will be hosted by Robert Lange Studios where, Durfee says, fostering community is paramount. The show opens with a reception on October 3 from 5 to 8 p.m. and remains on view through October 24. —
Robert Lange Studios 2 Queen Street • Charleston, SC 29401 • (843) 805-8052 • www.robertlangestudios.com
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