Donald Moffett: The Extravagant Vein

As a painter, Moffett extends the traditional two-dimensional frame, converting the ordinariness of the flat plane into highly textured relief works. Some of these signature oil paintings are illuminated by incorporating video projections onto the canvas. Moffett also incorporates sound and light in his work, sometimes as stand alone projects and at other times in conjunction with his paintings. The subject matter of his paintings ranges from landscape and nature to politics and history.

Moffett uses his power as an artist to critique the world at large. As a founding member of Gran Fury, the artistic arm of the activist group ACT UP, Moffett has remained engaged with issues surrounding the presence of gays in historical and contemporary culture.   Moffett’s work is not dominated by frameworks of politics and power, though these issues remain vital foundations in his ongoing advocacy toward civil rights.

Donald Moffett: The Extravagant Vein is organized by Senior Curator Valerie Cassel Oliver of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.  The exhibition has been made possible by the patrons, benefactors, and donors to the CAMH’s Major Exhibition Fund, as well as a generous grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.  The catalog accompanying the exhibition is made possible by a grant from The Brown Foundation, Inc., and is available at The Warhol Store.

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