Why Paintings Work

In ‘Why Paintings Work’, Jurriaan Benschop navigates the diverse landscape of contemporary painting. He introduces the work of dozens of painters and asks: Why do these paintings work? In what ways do they speak to the viewer? He considers both the visible aspects of painting¾such as the depicted motif and the application of paint¾and the concepts, beliefs and motivations that underlie the canvas. ‘Why Paintings Work’ is not just about how we look at paintings, but also about finding a language that suits the art and viewing experience of today.