> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://hyperallergic.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Different Strokes for Jane, or Ekphrasis on Alexis
- URL: https://hyperallergic.com/different-strokes-for-jane-or-ekphrasis-on-alexis/
- Published: 2015-11-08T12:00:11.000Z
- Updated: 2025-11-24T16:30:26.000Z
- Description: Pathetic, just pathetic, to expect Strangers to know your name I guess Such is the price of fame
- Author: Ben La Rocco
- Tags: Art, Review, Weekend, #wp, #wp-post, #image-position-hidden, #Import 2025-11-24 07:13 (2014, 2015, part 3)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/11/its-up-to-you.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “It’s Up to You” (2008), mixed media, 21 1/2 x 27 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches (all images courtesy the artist and Garth Greenan Gallery, New York) (click to enlarge)

On the occasion of viewing [*Alexis Smith*](http://www.garthgreenan.com/exhibitions/current?ref=hyperallergic.com) at Garth Greenan Gallery (October 22–December 5, 2015).

Pathetic, just pathetic, to expect  
Strangers to know your name I guess  
Such is the price of fame

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/11/slice-of-life.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “Slice of Life” (2009), mixed media, 23 x 22 3/4 inches

Loraine, it’s up to you  
Alexis Smith what’s this  
Sad confluence of solitudes

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/11/vermeer-diptych.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “Vermeer Diptych” (2013), mixed media, 21 1/2 x 17 1/4 x 15 inches (click to enlarge)

A Vermeer diptych that’s split  
But did you also feel that way  
Say, couldn’t it be an image war

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/11/strangelove.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “Strangelove” (2004), mixed media, 30 1/8 x 24 1/4 x 3 1/8 inches

You fought yourself for anonymity  
Easy to kill it when you live at home with mother  
The generation gap – draw me a map

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/11/high-society.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “High Society” (2013), mixed media, 30 x 21 3/4 inches

Family values: easy to murder the other  
Anger walking back and forth in a  
Small train looks in, sees, pees

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/11/adventures-of-huckleberry-finn.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (2013), mixed media, 10 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches

Maybe, sucks in his lip, *seer-up*, paces  
Jester, we see each other across the threshold  
Maybe, rap but wind up black and blue ways

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/11/riches-have-wings.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “Riches Have Wings” (2002), mixed media, 26 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches

Of moving back  
Down lover’s lane  
Riches have wings

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/11/lonesome-cowboy.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “Lonesome Cowboy” (2002), mixed media, 54 1/4 x 40 1/2 x 3 inches

These are found things

Lonesome cowboy  
You’re a Kerouac haiku  
Just a slice of life but whose

![Jester](https://storage.ghost.io/c/51/f8/51f871d8-b6be-4a73-b958-0ca4fff0110a/content/images/hyperallergic-newspack-s3-amazonaws-com/uploads/2015/11/jester.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “Jester” (2013), mixed media, 25 x 18 inches

Calamity Jack of you don’t know Dick  
Diamonds stairway to the stars  
A bit like Magritte

![](http://hyperallergic.staging.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Kerouac-Haiku.jpg)

Alexis Smith, “Kerouac Haiku” (1994), mixed media, 27 3/4 x 32 7/8 x 2 3/4 inches (click to enlarge)

This is how things exist, folks  
The adventures of Huck Finn in high society  
Or the Queen of Hearts for Jane’s strange love

[Alexis Smith](http://www.garthgreenan.com/exhibitions/current?ref=hyperallergic.com) *continues at Garth Greenan Gallery (529 West 20th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan) thorugh December 5.*