Saturday, September 27, 2008

Madeline von Foerster



I just came across the work of Madeline von Foerster and I'm pretty spellbound by it. Obviously influenced by the old Flemish masters, she adds a touch of 18th/19th century occult weirdness and contemporary issues such as the eradication of species. She has a new show coming up in Berlin.
Here is a clip from an interview with her on her site:


In your early development as an artist, who/what inspired you?


Although as a child different things attracted me than do at the present, my aesthetic sensibility has actually been rather consistent. I have always appreciated things that looked old and slightly arcane. I loved the beauty inherent in mystery...I used to spend a lot of time looking for secret passages in the flat where I grew up! During my childhood, there were three artistic discoveries which had great influence: the Carravaggio painting of Christ being lowered into the tomb, which I saw in the fifth grade when the Vatican Collection toured this country; the Helga Pictures which I saw at the same museum two years later; and a tiny book of Hieronymous Bosch which some intuitive adult gave to me when I was about seven years old, which sits on my bookshelf to this day.

What about recent sources of inspirations?

I'm afraid that's difficult to narrow down! But here are a few of them: All the fifteenth century Flemish Masters, with van Eyck and Memling as particular favorites, but also David, Van der Weyden, Van der Goes, and several others. Bosch, Brueghel, Durer, and Grunewald. And all of the alchemical illustrators, whether engravers or manuscript illuminators. Most of them are unfortunately anonymous. I also have a passion for certain Surrealist artists: namely, Leonor Fini, Remedios Varos, Leonora Carrington, Hans Bellmer, and Ernst Fuchs.

"Landscapes"

I don't normally show "landscape" art. I have shown Jean Pierre Roy in the past, and I have an upcoming show with Jeremy Bennett in October who will be my second foray into the genre. I decided to do a quick and dirty post about a few landscapes that intrigue me. Now, I know some of these aren't traditional landscapes as many also features figures, but oh well. I picked works I liked in which the environment was a crucial part of the painting.


Marion Peck "Landscape with Submerged Deer" oil on panel

Jean Pierre Roy " The Black Damp " oil on canvas

Jean Pierre Roy "Farsang" oil on canvas

Ronald Kurniawan "O" acrylic on panel

Ronald Kurniawan "D" acrylic on panel

Mala Iqbal " Lupine Lake" acrylic on canvas

Mala Iqbal "Swamp" acrylic on canvas

Rebecka Woodward



Normally I'm just not really a fan of collage (with the exception of Francesca Berrini)...it's rare to see it done really well and it can all too easily end up looking like craft projects/bad surrealism. I got a little flyer for a local show with Rebecka Woodward's imagery and Myspace address on it so I checked it out. It's kind of "fashion-y" but I find it very appealing and well done. These two are my favorites.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Excellent new blog

The art aficionados over at Arrested Motion have a fantastic new blog up!
Check it out here.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Most Cathartic 80's Video Ever

If you were a alienated teenage new wave art freak in the 80's like I was odds are you remember Blancmange. This is my favorite video...footage of them just throwing a tantrum and trashing a house.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Art and Fashion



Parisian jewelry artist Lydia Courtielle enlisted digital artist Natalie Shau to create images for her assorted lines of breathtakingly cool jewelry. Artists and designers have a history of working together (Dali and Schiaparelli come to mind, and even recently James Jean and Prada) but you don't see to much truly innovative work these days in terms of advertising. I love this. I wish there was more of this type of thing. How cool would it be to open a magazine and see a Lori Earley painting of an elongated dress, or an Esao Andrews girl wearing Marc Jacobs as her head explodes into flame. Totally brilliant.
I like Natalie Shau's works mainly because it feels like she is having a total blast creating them. It's endearing.



Taken from Paintalicious blog

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Roq La New



Oh- did I mention- Roq la Rue has a new website! That's a big part of why I have neglected this blog- been busy doing content for the new site as well as fixing up the gallery space...

Max Klinger

Another one of those Symbolist artists I harp on and on about, is Max Klinger (1857-1920)(No, not him.)
Klinger was a German artist skilled in various media, mainly etching, painting, and sculpture.
Klinger "was cited by many artists (notably Giorgio de Chirico) as being a major link between the Symbolist movement of the 19th century and the start of the metaphysical and Surrealist movements of the 20th century."
What I find compelling about his work is the overall sheer weirdness of his imagery- mainly in his etchings. They have a formalness to them that is at odds with the chaotic, morbid dream imagery happening within. I get a strange sort of gut dropping feeling from them, like seeing a fight on a street, the moment just before you suddenly realize what you are seeing...like he's tapped into something I'd rather not know about.


What on earth is going on here? I dont know, but I like it!

"The Dead Mother" Oh dear.


"The Plague" Pretty straightforward for Klinger, actually.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Yeah, I Know.


Victor Castillo

Sorry for being lame and not posting much lately- I am really under the gun getting the gallery interior done and my brand spanking new gallery website completed. I have zero free time right now. I did get a kick ass intern/assistant so that will help once we get the new show opened. I am working on a great "Creepy Paintings" sequel for you!

Monday, September 1, 2008

The Merry Prankster



Jim Blanchard sent out this email commemorating the 15th anniversary of an art prank he was involved in. "The Hammering Man" is an iconic giant sculpture outside the Seattle Art Museum which is a tribute to the working man or some such (I'm not a fan personally). Jason Sprinkle and his band of Merry Men made a huge ball and chain and attached it to the Hammering Man's leg, and creating one of Seattle's most memorable art pranks in recent history.

My second favorite art prank was when the Sculpture Park opened in Seattle- a crew of art hooligans that go by the name PDL were inspired by Calder's "Eagle" and made a nest of "Eaglets" and dropped it off in the park on night.


Adorable. I wish I owned this.

More Chris Berens



Commandax over at Erratic Phenomena just posted an incredible piece about artist Chris Berens, with lots of mouthwatering imagery.