Anthony Cudahy, a 34-year-old artist based in Brooklyn, has found inspiration in the digital age that continues to shape his unique approach to painting. Growing up in Fort Myers, Fla., Cudahy sought out creative peers online through platforms like LiveJournal, where he would spend hours connecting with other artists.
Even as he pursued formal education in graphic design and illustration at Pratt Institute and later earned an M.F.A. in painting from Hunter College, Cudahy’s online interactions continued to influence his work. He describes his paintings as a collection of images, much like a Tumblr feed, where he appropriates a wide range of visuals from Titian masterpieces to archival news footage of marginalized communities.
One of Cudahy’s recent works, “Arthur Russell on the Shore,” was inspired by a vacation photo of the experimental composer, depicting him playing the cello against a backdrop of electric pink paint symbolizing the continuum of Russell’s legacy. Cudahy’s husband, photographer Ian Lewandowski, often serves as a subject in his paintings, adding a personal touch to his vibrant and lush aesthetic.
Their collaboration extends to a series based on snapshots taken by Cudahy’s late great-uncle, a traveling musician whose archive Lewandowski curated. This series, along with other works, will be featured in Cudahy’s first U.S. museum survey at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art in Maine, serving as a tribute to his great-uncle’s legacy and a celebration of fluidity and remembrance in art.
Cudahy’s ability to blend digital influences with traditional painting techniques has garnered attention in the art world, showcasing the power of online connections and personal histories in shaping contemporary artistic practices.
