tajh rust - artist: palm springs exhibit

I visited the Palm SPrings Art Museum in March 2023. One of the main exhibits was by Tajh Rust, based in New York. MFA from Yale University in 2019. https://www.tajhrust.com/ The bio says that his paintings are in oil and acrylic. I am so curious of his process in creating the lush and vibrant pieces.

The large painting on the bottom, From the Dark, You See Everything, created a space, a room which you felt like you were entering. The discomfort is clear, but it is the acceptance of the discomfort that made me sad. There seems to be no way out of this situation they are in. They don’t even try to lift their feet out of the water, maybe put them up on the couch? There is no scrambling to save “things”. A resigned acceptance.

This group of people seem to know that the fight is over. At least for now. The child and the cats maybe have some hope? they are not in the water, or maybe it is just that they do not see the whole picture, they do not know the whole story? how dire the situation is? The woman looks out, maybe there is another way? I find this piece so full of raw emotion. It brings up questions and makes me curious. This piece feels allegorical. It may refer to an actual flooding, but also has the capacity to hold so many of life’s challenges as a society and as individuals.

Tajh Rust, From the Dark, You See Everything, 2023

Please go to his website and look at more paintings. I am touched by his tenderness and intimate paintings of people in daily existance. There is so much to dive into. https://www.tajhrust.com/