North Seas Sailing 1981

LeRoy Neiman’s "North Seas Sailing" is a riot of color committed to paper through the commercial process of serigraphy. The effect is a high-keyed image, full of energy and saturated hues. Neiman, an interesting figure, often took his subject matter from popular culture, particularly leisure activities and sporting events. "North Seas Sailing" typifies his obsession with the lifestyles of the rich and famous. The serigraphic process itself, a form of stenciling, allows for the layering of flat colors and graphic precision. As a printing method, it is well suited to Neiman's Pop sensibility. The thick impasto of silkscreen ink mimics the gestures of painting. The editioning of serigraphs allowed Neiman to commodify his art, making it available to a broad audience of collectors. So, the image, the process, and the distribution are all of a piece: this is a celebration of affluence, available for purchase. When we consider works of art, thinking about their mode of production, and the lifestyle they depict, allows for a richer understanding of the work and its cultural significance.