In Artist in His Studio (2006), Rodney Graham adopts the persona of an unconventional artist. Seated on a plain wooden chair, he wears casual attire: a brown suede jacket, a white T-shirt, jeans, and white shoes. In his right hand, he holds a washboard-like device, while a wooden cooking spoon rests in his left.
The absence of conventional artists’ tools—such as brushes or a palette—undermines the traditional image of the artist at work in the studio. Instead, everyday objects like the spoon and washboard evoke simple, domestic, or manual activities. The work reflects Graham’s ongoing engagement with artistic stereotypes, which he repositions in new, often humorous contexts. In doing so, he invites viewers to reflect on role models and the artist’s self-image.
