Max Ginsburg’s Retrospective

It’s Saturday and it is finally starting to feel like fall outside. I’m on a train headed for Max Ginsburg’s retrospective, The Realities of Our Times, at The Highline Loft Gallery, 508 West 26th Street, 5G. I’m excited to see Max and the gang, for any reason really, but this is a good one.

Pat bearded by Max Ginsburg. Max won the William Draper grand prize with this painting two years ago.

Civil War Model, by Max Ginsburg

Max Ginsburg and longtime student Ruth Miller.

Ricky Mujica and his sweet son Julian.

Max just turned 85 last month and had what seems like his 85th surprise birthday party. Everyone loves Max, it’s hard not to love him. He’s a wonderful teacher, but as I have mentioned in earlier posts, Max holds nothing back when critiquing. He tells you just what he thinks, usually posed as a question, such as “What were you thinking?!?!” He will also end with his sweet mantra: “You are a big girl. You need to use a big brush, squint your eyes, and mind your proportions.“

Me, Miryam Soman, and Richard Weinstein

This was a wonderful retrospective for Max because he has lived and painted through many eras here in the U.S.  He has always relished painting as an activist rooting for the common person (the underdog), often referring to “the man.” From the early Civil Rights Movement to the Iraq war, Max was there talking about it, protesting the injustices, and painting how the latest injustice affects the average person on the street.

Ted Kline and friend, in front a quick sketch Max did of me at my

It was a huge turnout for Max’s retrospective!  There was even a painting he did of me flopping out of exhaustion, on my couch.  He has worn many hats in his artistic life as well as his personal life, making this a large fascinating show.