Joan Mitchell at 100 with Julie Mehretu and Eileen Myles

This episode explores the life and artistic legacy of Joan Mitchell, a painter whose centenary is being celebrated. Against the backdrop of her centennial, poet Eileen Myles and painter Julie Mehretu join host Helen Molesworth to discuss Mitchell's work. More significantly, the conversation delves into Mitchell's unique approach to painting, characterized by her creation of a "painterly language" that transcends personal expression and evokes universal feelings. For instance, the panelists discuss Mitchell's use of color, her large-scale canvases, and her practice of painting at night to achieve a state of detachment. As the discussion pivots to the interplay between personal experience and collective emotion in art, the panelists explore how Mitchell's work extends our vocabulary for feeling, creating a visceral response that resonates deeply. In contrast to the commonly held view of her as a purely liberatory figure, the conversation also acknowledges the complexities of Mitchell's life and the contradictions inherent in her artistic journey. Ultimately, the episode highlights the enduring power of Mitchell's art and its capacity to inspire and challenge viewers, even amidst the complexities of her personal history and the socio-political context of her time.