Danielle Orchard utilizes the familiar painting tropes of art historical forebears, to produce pseudo-self portraits of women caught up in romantic and mundane rituals. Female subjects are depicted within leisurely tableaux that are permeated by a sense of unease, brought forth by the artist’s distinct use of color, composition and what she considers to be low-stakes mishaps. Often shown in states of undress, these characters flout feminine expectations in trivial ways. Orchard received her MFA from Hunter College, and has presented work in solo exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. 

My Bed features a woman reclining in bed, positioned before an open book in the midst of other objects such as a lit cigarette and plates of food. Lit by a lamp that casts angular shadows throughout the composition, the depicted character engages viewers with expressive eyes that insinuate complex emotions. Although Orchard borrows from the visual language of past movements such as Cubism and Chicago Imagism, she eschews the patriarchal, hypersexualizing tendencies of historical female portraiture by lending agency to the subject. For this series, the artist has hand embellished ten prints with new still life elements rendered through oil pastel, gouache and Flashe. 

The artist notes, “GrowNYC has a mission to promote environmental sustainability and community wellness through various initiatives, including affordable access to healthy produce, youth outreach programs, and food scrap composting (which I use personally). They have worked tirelessly since 1970 to make NYC healthier and more environmentally responsible.”

Of the total net proceeds from sales of this print, 20% will benefit GrowNYC and, as with all AFC initiatives, the artist receives 50%. 

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