A Glass of Beer

In A Glass of Beer (2005), Rodney Graham printed a self-portrait as a drinker onto a mirror. The work condenses the metaphorical, media-specific, and art-historical implications of reflection, duplication, and self-portraiture into a single, simple object. Particularly important references for this work include paintings by Édouard Manet—such as the beer drinker’s portrait Le Bon Bock (1873) and the iconic Bar aux Folies-Bergère (1882)—the latter of which was also closely studied by Graham’s artist friend Jeff Wall in his work Picture for Women (1979). In its flatness, Graham’s image also refers to Andy Warhol’s silkscreen prints. The mirror object itself evokes promotional bar mirrors and rock band merchandise often found in pubs. As the bandleader of a mariachi group, Graham looks out of the image while simultaneously observing himself reflected in the mirror as a drinking guest.