A reflection on the “failures of painting” Neither figurative nor abstract, Albert Oehlen’s “Fn” series champions the failures of painting. With self-consciously ugly color combinations, inscrutable forms, and decorative touches, Oehlen’s unconventional approach argues the potential of achieving beauty in breaking the fundamental rules of art. The title means ‘footnote’, suggesting an annotation to the legacy of traditional painting. Visit to see this work on view in our galleries. ____ Albert Oehlen, Fn 23, 1990. Oil on canvas. The Broad Art Foundation. © Albert Oehlen