Comment on Laura James Paints What America Wants to Forget by martha_b_klein

['Alexandra M. Thomas', 'More Alexandra M. Thomas', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar'] Comments for Hyperallergic 2025-09-09 21:46:41

“Make work.” Laura James shared this concise yet powerful mantra with me during a visit to her Bronx studio in West Farms. In times of resurgent fascism and attacks on progressive education, James does what the moment demands of her: She makes work. At the top of the painting, scenes of police brutality unfold. Photograph of Laura James’s painting “Inheritance” (2024) in her Bronx studioIn contrast to the outdoors scenes in “Not Even Past,” James’s “Inheritance” (2024) takes place within a domestic interior. Laura James’s studioLeft: Detail view of Laura James’s studio; right: Laura James in her studioJames draws inspiration from folk art traditions rich in vibrant color and storytelling.