Revisiting Willem de Kooning: Albert Oehlen and John Corbett in Conversation

©gagosian

In celebration of Willem de Kooning: Endless Painting, an exhibition curated by Cecilia Alemani featuring a sweeping selection of de Kooning’s work from 1944 to 1986, it's worth revisiting a compelling 2013 conversation between artist Albert Oehlen and curator John Corbett.

The two reflect on de Kooning’s later paintings—those fluid, abstract works that often divided critics—and their enduring impact on contemporary art. For Oehlen, de Kooning’s boldness in aging, his refusal to settle stylistically, and his willingness to keep painting into his final years are deeply inspiring. Corbett highlights the tension and beauty in de Kooning’s brushwork, describing it as both chaotic and controlled.

Together, they paint a picture of an artist who never stopped evolving, and whose late work continues to ripple through the practices of painters today. In revisiting this conversation, we not only honor de Kooning's legacy but also witness the dialogue his art continues to provoke among those it has influenced most.