Interpreting the Torah 2010

Alexander Roitburd’s ‘Interpreting the Torah’ is an oil painting that encapsulates the artist’s unique approach to figurative work. The visible brushstrokes and impasto technique give a sense of immediacy, almost as if the scene has been captured in a fleeting moment. The texture of the oil paint is palpable, creating a tactile quality that invites the viewer to consider the physical act of painting itself. This work is all about the stuff that it is made of. Roitburd's gestural approach, combined with a muted palette, imbues the painting with a sense of both intimacy and melancholy. The materiality of the oil paint underscores the labor involved in its creation. Paying attention to materials, making, and context allows us to appreciate Roitburd's challenge to traditional distinctions, as he offers a visceral depiction of culture, labor, and the physical world.