contemporary art   iconic architecture   authentic alexandria

Sally Kauffman, a Washington, DC-based visual artist, is known for her large-scale, abstract yet illusory paintings depicting people and animals in social and communal settings. Her recent series, inspired by scenes from Malcolm X Park, captures Washingtonians engaging in activities including picnicking, hula hooping, Jiu Jitsu, juggling, gymnastics, skating, playing, dancing, and listening to music. These works celebrate the joy of gathering after pandemic isolation, emphasizing the fundamental human instinct for connection and restoration.

Kauffman's creative process begins with photographing her subjects in the park. In her studio, she composes experimental digital collages, adjusting elements and enhancing color intensity to form a rich, layered starting point for her paintings. Using transparent oil washes as a foundation, she applies expressive brushwork to build fluid, dynamic surfaces that balance visual beauty with underlying tension.

Kauffman draws inspiration from Italian art, ranging from the grand Baroque frescoes to the luminous palettes and expressive forms of the Neo-Rococo movement. Her work creates a sense of escape, inviting viewers into a world of pleasure and delight.

​​