KATHLEEN GILJE

b. 1945, United States

Untitled (Doug and Sutton), 2004

Oil on linen
19.1 x 11.6 x 0.87 in.

Collection of The Bass
Gift of Douglas Cramer Collection
2022.4.1

Born in Brooklyn 1945, Kathleen Gilje is best known for her appropriations of Old Master paintings, combining historical provenance with contemporary ideas and perspective.

Gilje trained and apprenticed as a conservator and restorer in the early 60’s and 70’s and uses her experience and training as the basis to recreate and recontextualize old masterpieces. In her paintings, drawings and installations, Gilje applies art historical analysis using methodologies from conservation to create altered versions of familiar paintings, dubbing the process “contemporary restoration.” Gilje encourages the viewer to think about a work of art on several levels, considering its material and historical narrative. Her references are provocative as she addresses timely social, political and personal concerns.

Untitled, (Doug and Sutton), portrays Douglas S. Cramer, who produced some of the most successful television shows of the 20th century, including “The Odd Couple,” “The Love Boat” and “Dynasty.”