ISOM SYMBOLIC ART

Thursday, April 25, 2013

I just don't get it.

Recently, I have been fielding question about my art from from residents of the independent living center where I reside. One of the most common questions relate to where I get my ideas and occasionally someone will mention that that my work “look like” some known artist. Those questions are usually veiled attempts to suggest that my work may not be original. A particularly difficult question or response is always some form of “ I just don't get it” or I like pictures of things I recognize.” These ego related questions are the most annoying. The questions and opinions are not new, I have been asked the same questions and heard the same opinions from students, family members and friends for over sixty years.

Originality is a ghost and one could question philosophically whether originality really exists. What really matters is our personal approach to art and the way in which we express our experiences and influences on a canvas; that is the high point of art and art criticism; anything else is a moot point and ego driven drivel.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Organic undergrowth

boscage, boskage, brake, brush,

brushwood, bush,coppice, copse,

thicket, understory, underwood

Monday, April 22, 2013

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Horror Vacui

Horror vacui art is an art form that expands on Aristotle's theory of horror vacui (that nature abhors a vacuum, and therefore empty space will always try to fill itself with a gas or liquid to avoid being empty) and includes visual interpretations in artwork.

Horror vacui artwork involves the artist leaving no piece of the canvas uncovered. There is a fear of empty space in the works of any horror vacui art, and so artists will cover every inch of their canvas in detail to avoid leaving any remnants of blank space.

Horror vacui art had been practiced by ancient Greek and Islamic artists, and was even evident among the many indigenous tribes of Central and South America. However, with regards to the term horror vacui, this is credited to 20th century author, scholar, and critic Mario Praz. Mario used the term to help describe the suffocating atmosphere created by Victorian Age interior design.