Looking for the Mountain

Pat Steir: A Cartographer of Chance and Emotion

Pat Steir, born Iris Patricia Sukoneck in Newark, New Jersey, in 1940, is an American painter and printmaker whose work has profoundly shaped the landscape of contemporary art. Her journey from early conceptual influences to her now-iconic “Waterfall” paintings—dynamic explorations of gravity, gesture, and chance—is a testament to her relentless curiosity and profound engagement with both artistic tradition and the unpredictable nature of creative process. Steir’s career, spanning over five decades, is marked by a consistent refusal to adhere to conventional boundaries, forging a unique visual language deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy and a fascination with the interplay between control and abandon.

Early Life and Artistic Foundations

Steir's artistic trajectory began at Pratt Institute in New York City during the late 1950s, where she was initially influenced by the teachings of Richard Lindner and Phillip Guston—figures whose diverse approaches to painting provided a crucial foundation for her own explorations. Returning to Pratt in 1962, she graduated with a BFA and quickly established herself within the burgeoning New York art scene. Early exhibitions at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and the Museum of Modern Art in New York demonstrated her emerging talent, showcasing a willingness to challenge existing artistic norms. This period also saw Steir working as an illustrator and book designer, experiences that honed her observational skills and deepened her understanding of visual communication—qualities she would later translate into her groundbreaking paintings. Crucially, her time at Pratt exposed her to the burgeoning conceptual art movement, fostering a critical awareness of the role of ideas within artistic practice.

The Emergence of the “Waterfall” Series

Steir’s career truly took flight in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the creation of her now-famous “Waterfall” paintings. These monumental works, characterized by cascading torrents of thick, white paint layered over rich black surfaces, represent a radical departure from traditional painting techniques. Influenced by her growing interest in Eastern philosophy—particularly Taoism and Buddhism—Steir embraced the concept of *wu wei* (non-action), allowing gravity and chance to dictate the flow of paint across the canvas. She began experimenting with pouring, splashing, and throwing paint, relinquishing conscious control over the process and inviting the inherent unpredictability of the medium to shape the final image. As Steir herself described, these paintings were not about depicting a waterfall but rather “painting out of the painting and into space,” creating immersive environments that evoked the sublime forces of nature. The series’ genesis was also informed by her studies of Chinese ink-splashing techniques, where artists sought to capture the essence of natural phenomena through spontaneous gestures.

Expanding Horizons: Site-Specific Installations and Printmaking

Building upon the success of the “Waterfall” series, Steir expanded her artistic practice into immersive installations in the mid-1980s. These site-specific works transformed gallery spaces into dynamic environments, blurring the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and performance. Steir’s approach to these installations mirrored her painting process—embracing chance and allowing the architecture of the space to influence the composition and flow of paint. Simultaneously, she continued to develop her printmaking skills, producing a series of limited-edition prints that explored similar themes of control, chaos, and the relationship between artist and material. Her collaborations with Crown Point Press resulted in critically acclaimed works that further solidified her reputation as a pioneering figure in contemporary art.

Legacy and Influence

Pat Steir’s influence extends far beyond her own body of work. Her willingness to embrace chance, her deep engagement with Eastern philosophy, and her innovative use of materials have inspired generations of artists. Her work has been exhibited extensively at major museums around the world, including the Tate Gallery in London, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Steir’s paintings are now held in significant collections across the United States and abroad, a testament to her enduring artistic vision. Her legacy lies not only in the beauty and complexity of her art but also in her courageous exploration of the creative process—a constant reminder that true artistry emerges from the delicate balance between intention and surrender. She remains a vital voice in contemporary art, continuing to push boundaries and challenge conventional notions of painting and sculpture.