Fifteen years ago Chris Ofili made “sick stuff” according to the mayor of New York. He is back in town now with an exhibition – ‘Night and Day’ – in the New Museum.
The reactions on this show are completely different. No accusations of blasphemy. No angry visitors. Ofili’s return is the return of a hero of British contemporary art. The critics hardly have enough words to praise the artist. “Breathtaking”; “(…) an endless sensuous dive into the most carnivalesque pleasures of painting”; “His paintings mesmerize (…)”; “Great art” etc. etc.
What happened? Did the city change? Did the audience change? Did the time change? Did the artist change?
Rob Perrée tries to give an answer.
