Few people might admit it, but almost everyone experiences some form of fear or hesitation around attaining the things they most dream of achieving at some point in life. Fear of Success; it’s an oxymoron, but self-doubt is perverse, and it generally rears its head whenever it wants. So, we must find ways around it, or else we can kiss any chance of success goodbye. For the artist Nate Plotkin, this self-fulfilling prophecy and perpetual obstacle is held at bay through painting.
By obsessively applying thousands and thousands of small dots in distinct colors to in his mid-sized canvases, in the tried-and-true tradition of Pointillism, Plotkin busies himself so thoroughly that there is no time for distraction or giving voice to anxieties about failure or messing up. Each new painting is an epic pursuit, taking at least two months to complete, and the works provide a healthy portal for channeling any addictive inclinations that might come over him. The process demands attention and going deep, and it, in effect, flips something around that has made problems in the past into a path that provides comfort and a sense of purpose. This is all personal, but so are Plotkin’s paintings. Through the sheer volume of information he provided to our eyes, we quickly get to know Plotkin’s engaging protagonists and feel vested in their own attempts at success.
The artist’s deep dive into obsessive pointillist painting emerged spontaneously about a year ago, and it has since seamlessly integrated with his unique narratives and scenes, which now possess even more humor and pathos than before. Many of the images invoked are banal, like two pilots shooting the breeze in between flights, and others present visionary odes to his beloved wife, Johanna, full of longing and emotion. The paintings feel earnest and intuitive, reflecting a call to action and a deep level of intention in the face of uncertainty, the unknown, and the personal demons we all face.
Nate Plotkin (b. 1986, Longmeadow, Massachusetts) lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, and he has been drawing since childhood. Plotkin spent two years studying at the Maine College of Art before deciding the program was not a fit for him and that he’d rather work independently at home. This is Plotkin’s third solo exhibition with SHRINE.
