Andrew Lenaghan

George Adams Projects is pleased to present an exhibition of new paintings by Andrew Lenaghan, his fifteenth solo presentation with the gallery since 1995. Titled Peripheral Vision, the exhibition features 11 new paintings on panel along with Lenaghan’s recent sketchbooks that continue Lenaghan’s ongoing exploration of the shifting cityscapes of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

In his latest body of work, Lenaghan draws inspiration from some of the great American cityscape painters, paying homage to figures like Rackstraw Downes and Richard Estes. This influence is evident in Gravesend White House (2022), where Lenaghan showcases his distinctive approach to perspective and light, integrating Downes’ use of elongated forms and Estes’ meticulous attention to reflective details. “I am fascinated by peripheral vision and perspective solutions in representing observed architecture,” Lenaghan explains, underscoring his dedication to capturing the complexity of urban environments and the nuances of how we perceive them.

Peripheral Vision also includes a selection of Lenaghan’s sketchbooks, which have grown in complexity over the years, now filling entire spreads with gestural, autobiographical studies of everyday moments in his Brooklyn neighborhood, and scenes from his imagination. For Lenaghan, these sketchbooks are part of his daily routine, and many of the scenes depicted—his backyard, street corners, changing seasons—are later developed into larger paintings. For example, Power Station, Midwood, Brooklyn (2021) traces its origins to a sketchbook from the same year, where Lenaghan initially outlined the scene’s specific details and established the exact perspective for the final painting.

While Lenaghan’s subject matter has evolved to include narrative elements suggested by the presence of figures, his depiction of intricate urban architecture and mastery of deep perspective remain central to his practice. These elements continue to define his work, grounding his exploration of human presence within the structured complexity of cityscapes.

Andrew Lenaghan (b. 1965) was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and received a BFA from Cornell University in 1987, and an MFA from Brooklyn College in 1989. He currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York, and is a professor of painting at Pratt Institute. Lenaghan has exhibited internationally and has been the recipient of several awards and commissions, including the Joan Mitchell Foundation Grant in 2011. His work is in many public collections such as Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut; Flint Institute of Arts Michigan; Staten Island Museum, New York; and the Greenville County Museum of Art, South Carolina, among others.