by Sandy | Jun 14, 2009 | Art, Artist, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Books
The PBS program and book, both called “Simon Schama’s – Power of Art”, reveals that although one of my favorite artists, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), was gloriously talented, he was also a youthful offender – violent and incorrigible. Not a mischievous “Denis the Menace” type, but, as Schama labels him – a thug. He murdered a rival! I was shocked!
But, does his anger and madness show in Caravaggio’s art? Maybe.
Considered part of the early Italian Baroque style of painting, his work, perhaps as a way of seeking redemption, focused on biblical themes – but, if you look at the faces, you will notice that there are no cherubs or saints, his paintings are inhabited by the people that he found in the local taverns with all their blemishes and wrinkles. I’ve found his work to be vibrant and alive regardless of its theme – card players or John the Baptist – full of energy, often full of violence, always very up close and in your face.
BTW – Caravaggio was like Alfred Hitchcock, who always had a walk through in his movies and TV shows – the artist liked to paint himself into the middle of his scenes – with a table of card sharks, with a group of musicians and most notably, he served himself up as the “…Head of Goliath”.
Images: “David with the Head of Goliath”, 1607, oil on wood and “The Cardsharps, 1594” oil on canvas
by Sandy | Jun 5, 2009 | Art, Artist, Blogroll, Exhibits, Museums
Photographer Ansel Adams and painter Georgia O’Keeffe were great friends and had similar sensibilities and a mutual love of the American West. The San Francisco Museum of Art has selected 100 pieces from these 2 artists that reflect their appreciation of dramatic landscapes with both canvas and photographs.
“Georgia O’Keefe and Ansel Adams: Natural Affinities”
SF MoMA – Until 9/7/09
151 Third Street, San Francisco, CA
Images: “The Tetons and the Snake River”, Adams 1942
“Black Mesa Landscape, O’Keeffe, New Mexico 1930
by Sandy | May 30, 2009 | Art, Artist, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Museums
“Unbounded: New Art for a New Century”
The Newark Museum has grouped together 50 works of the last 15 years by artists that represent creativity from all parts of the world. Painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry are examples of “global” art for modern times.
Included are sculptor Martin Puryear, ceramic artist Diego Romero, painter Kwesi Owusu-Ankomah, sculptor Lu Wen Xia, photographer Lorna Simpson, Tibetan artist Gonkar Gyatso, mixed media artist Senzeni Marasela and many more.
According to the program curators, the exhibit is “A dynamic thematic display highlighting the universal concerns and ideas that inspire artistic creativity, creating unexpected connections or groupings that transcend traditional divisions based on geography, genre or media.“
The Newark Museum – Until 8/16/09
49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ
Images:
Martin Puryear – Painted and unpainted pine, found wheelbarrow, 2006
Kwesi Owusu-Ankomah – “Off My Back”1995, Acrylic on canvas
by Bob Martin | May 28, 2009 | Art, Artist, Creativity, Photograhy, sculptor, Writing and Speaking
Applications for the 2009 William H. Johnson Prize are now available online at http://www.whjohnsongrant.org
Please note that the due date for all applications is July 31, 2009, several months earlier than in past years. Applicants are advised to take note of the change so that they do not miss the deadline. The 2009 William H. Johnson Prize is 25,000 USD and the winner will be announced in September 2009.
William Johnson Self Portrait
The William H. Johnson Foundation for the Arts is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that seeks to encourage African American artists early in their careers through its annual award, The William H. Johnson Prize. Early career African American artists who work in painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, installation and/or new genre are eligible to apply.
William H. Johnson, an African American artist born in Florence, South Carolina in 1901, is the namesake of the Foundation. He moved to New York as a young man to study at the National Academy of Design, and though he was acknowledged as the most talented artist in his class of 1926, he was passed over for a traveling scholarship, most likely because of his race. Rather than see Johnson struggle in the United States, his teacher, Charles Hawthorne, gave Johnson 1000 USD so that Johnson could travel to Europe. This act of faith and generosity was pivotal in Johnson’s life, for it provided the seed from which his career flourished.
In the same spirit, the William H. Johnson Prize is intended to encourage the best artists working today. Past Johnson Prize Winners include Laylah Ali (2002); Nadine Robinson (2003); Kori Newkirk (2004); Dave McKenzie (2005); Edgar Arceneaux (2006); Rodney McMillian (2007); and Jennie C. Jones (2008).
THE WILLIAM H JOHNSON FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS
6022 Wilshire Blvd, #200
Los Angeles, CA 90036
323 931-3744
323 931-3751 fax
http://www.whjohnsongrant.org
info@whjohnsongrant.org
by Sandy | May 27, 2009 | Art, Artist, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Exhibits, Museums
The High Museum in Atlanta has borrowed 4 of French Impressionist artist Claude Monet’s paintings, from MoMA in NYC, for a special presentation beginning June 4 – August 23, 2009.
“Monet Water Lilies” features some of the work Monet, 1840- 1926, created while in the midst of his beloved garden and water lily ponds in Giverny, France:
“Water Lilies” 1920, “The Japanese Footbridge” 1922, “Agapanthus” 1918 and the huge 42 foot wide triptych “Reflections of Clouds on the Water-Lily Pond”
Monet Water Lilies * 6/4 thru 8/23/09
The High Museum, 1280 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30309
Images: “Water Lilies”, 1908, Monet in his garden, 1922
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by Sandy | May 20, 2009 | Art, Artist, Blogroll, Exhibits, Museums
“Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese: Rivals in Renaissance Venice”
Sixty paintings by the 3 most important 16th century “Venetian style” artists will be on view until August 16, 2009:
Titian (1485-1576), Tintoretto (1528-1594) and Veronese (1528-1588)
Venetian Style : “painters from Venice were not as concerned with sculptural form and hard edges of lines as they were with brilliant color and the sensitive use of light”
MFA – Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts
617-267-9300
Images: Titian – self portrait, 1512 and Tintoretto, “Portrait of a Women”, date unknown
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