Detail from “The Lion of Anacostia (Frederick Douglass),” 2022. Oil On Canvas. 80 x 32 x 2 in.
"The Great Americans” is a visually compelling and thought-provoking group of monumental paintings by artist Jac Lahav that examine the notion of "greatness" within American culture. Through a unique juxtaposition of iconic and lesser-known figures, Lahav challenges viewers to interrogate their understanding of what constitutes a "great" American.
Lahav's work challenges the viewer to move beyond recognizable faces and surface-level narratives, encouraging a deep and nuanced exploration of our culture and ourselves. This approach to art, the intellectual and emotional depth, sets "The Great Americans Series" apart, positioning it as an enduring contribution to contemporary American art. It is on view at The Slater Memorial Art Museum until September 2023.
Installation: The Great Americans at Slater Memorial Art Museum
When did this idea of American history and its ‘greats’ begin?
I began this series in 2009. Calling it The Great Americans was a nod to this Discovery Channel show from 2006 where folks voted for the "Greatest American". I was totally hooked on the blend of pop culture, fame, American identity, and achievement. The show really got me thinking about who we put on a pedestal and why.
Over the last 15 years, as this series grew, I started folding in more stories that don't get spotlights. It's like I'm weaving a more intricate, detailed narrative of American history. Plus, building a more diverse, inclusive roster of American icons through portraiture.
Why paint the Great Americans? Meaning, what do you want viewers to gain from this series?
What I'm really digging here is blending American history, educational tidbits, and contemporary painting. On the surface, this series is kinda like a set of baseball cards. Folks come, try to guess the "who's who" of American history, and usually walk away with some cool fact or story they didn't know before.
But for me, being a painting nerd, there's so much more under the hood. This series isn't just an exploration of American history - it's also a deep dive into the art of painting. Each portrait is like an onion with tons of layers to peel back, both in the story it tells and in the technique I used to tell it. They're chock-full of painterly detail and rich with different painting methods.
They’re, literally, larger than life.
I aimed for these characters to be just a bit larger than life. Some of what I'm doing here is inspired by Judy Chicago's 'Dinner Party'. I sometimes think of my pieces as "the afterparty" for these glamorous historical celebs.
Funny story though—during my first solo museum show at the Richmond Art Museum in Indiana, a curator noticed something. They looked at me (I'm tall, standing at six foot five), then back at the paintings. They pointed out that most of my subjects are stretched out to fill these seven foot canvases, which made them all about my height. You know the old saying, 'portrait artists are always painting themselves'? Maybe there's some truth to that!
Jac Lahav. “Cherry Tree (George Washington),” 2011. Oil On Canvas . 80 x 32 x 2 in.
In a statement about the series, you mention the idea of how what one adorns themselves is key to their personality. How do you find changing the garb of the historical figures alters their identity?
Giving these historical figures a modern twist definitely makes them feel a bit more relatable, you know? There's something about seeing a founding father like George Washington rocking a denim jacket that brings him to life.
I'm also super into this idea of layers and diving under what’s on the surface, too. Clothes are a big part of that. This depth of layering is found in many of these paintings. If you look closely, you'll see how I've played around with including art historical references into their clothes. It's like a painting inception—a painting within a painting, all layered on top of this painted costume. It's pretty rad when you think about it!
Do you have any favorites?
Thats hard! Maybe it'll be easier if we look at the art and the subjects separately. As paintings, I really dig all of them. From the thick, almost chunky brush strokes to the slick, stylized real-life looking portraits, I've got a soft spot for each one.
Now, when it comes to the stories behind the paint, I love shining a light on the lesser-known chapters of American history. Take David Ruggles, for example. A man from Norwich, where this exhibit's takes place, who started the first Black-owned bookstore in Tribeca, NY. Or Afong Moy, who was the first Chinese woman to set foot in America back in the 1830s. Their stories really hit home for me.
Jac Lahav. “Let’s Go (David Ruggles),” 2022. Oil On Canvas . 80 x 32 x 2 in.
For last year’s “Women Pulling at The Threads of Social Discourse” at MoCA, Westport, you painted a portrait of Sojourner Truth—also one of America’s greats. Is there ever a conflict when you paint American greats, who have suffered, or still suffer, under the philosophies of some of America’s other icons?
What my work really dives into is the messy, tangled web of American history. Given today's intense political climate, I want to show that it's possible to both celebrate and question America. Simply by digging into our shared story as a culture we can find moments of triumph and suffering. You can't talk about American history without acknowledging the hardships and the hurt; otherwise, you're only getting half the story. But you know what? Even when we're faced with the darker chapters of our past, we can still find reasons to celebrate. We can applaud the strength, the tenacity, and the courage it took to stand up for what's right.
If you could travel back to one of America’s greatest moments, when would that be?
Like my portrait series, I'm not really all about capturing "the moment." What really gets me going are the people themselves. After all, it's people that make our world this amazingly interesting place, right? I don't care much specific times or places, but I'd totally love to just chill with some of these icons. Imagine listening to a sermon from Martin Luther King Jr., having a drink with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or grabbing a bite with Rosa Parks. How awesome would that be?
Installation: The Great Americans at Slater Memorial Art Museum
