Growing 1981 Larry Rivers -

The year 1981 marked a cultural shift. The excesses of the 70s were giving way to the neoliberal conservatism of the Reagan/Thatcher era. In the art world, Neo-Expressionism (Basquiat, Schnabel) was beginning to roar. Rivers, always a step ahead, had already been doing a grittier, more emotionally raw form of figuration for decades. Growing was his response to the idea of "maturity" in a culture obsessed with youth.

The work by Larry Rivers is not just a painting; it is the culmination of a highly controversial five-year documentary project that explored the boundaries between art, familial intimacy, and exploitation. The Nature of the Project growing 1981 larry rivers

: The work is often cited as an example of Rivers' tendency to blur the lines between his personal life and his art, often at the expense of those closest to him. The year 1981 marked a cultural shift

Critics and art historians often cite "Growing" as a significant example of Rivers' "taboo-busting" style overstepping ethical lines. How would you like to frame the discussion around this specific piece for your post? N.Y.U. Doesn't Want Film of Larry Rivers's Naked Daughters Rivers, always a step ahead, had already been

: The painting incorporates still images captured from the video footage.