figurative or bust? pardon the pun

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marina Graham on February 21, 2008 at 20:16

Thanks for this, Joe!

My experience at art college was different to yours. I had to fight for my figurative modelling to be tolerated! But I am pleased you still manage to find pleasure in it after having it rammed down your throat!

I certainly do not think you are wrong to try to marry the two 'quite disparate elements'.

We may have misleadingly been taught that these elements are disparate. Personally I believe that the same sense of flow, rhythm and composition can be applied to abstraction and figuration and that a dialogue between the two can prove extremely beneficial. Although I would also have to say that I really just do what gives me pleasure, and believe this is what gives things life!

Permalink Reply by joe kelly on February 22, 2008 at 2:44

I am sure you are right, I didn't consciously rebel, but the constraints imposed by what others supposedly KNEW about the subject matter was extremely limiting...isn't it much more fun to do the opposite that someone says, rather than conforming, even though sometimes, you know they're right?
joy in creation comes from non-conformity....from my humble perspective. thanks for your reply marina

Permalink Reply by Denis Isakov on February 22, 2008 at 7:17

I admire with world around and I try to pass all beauty of the nature. Trying to return a dead material. It is very difficult not to commit an error, to observe proportions, to pass movement, not departing from canons and not exaggerating a proportion. If the sculptor can combine abstraction and realism, admiration to the master!!! It is a pity to me that, the majority of modern sculptors, doing the big errors in proportions, name it abstraction or stylisation, simply hiding the not ability to do a sculpture. It is not enough artists today engaged in realism and creating beautiful abstract sculptures.

Permalink Reply by Marina Graham on February 22, 2008 at 22:18

It is good to hear someone say this, Denis. I think there are many instances where people without the ability of accurate observation pass off mess as abstraction, and then act superior over those whose skills they secretly envy. It is true, and I have over the course of my life had to deal with abuse from such people in the name of tuition.

I vowed never to treat any artist the way I was sometimes treated at college!

Now however I do not feel them bearing down on me so much, and telling me I am making a picture, and it is not Art.

As a result I am more able to even be strongly attracted by non figurative artworks, if they have a flow, balance, rhythm or mood that I like. I am probably therefore more open to wider influences in my own work.

I find visual rhythms particularly enjoyable. And I like to give things strong moods as well as realism. Sometimes it is done by subtle enhancements and emphasis, but this is often unconscious as I generate it by maintaining an emotional state, which then rules the modelling.

I noticed that ancient sculptures, eg from Egypt often have an intoxicating quality when you look at them and believe this comes from the state of being of the sculptor who made them. The euphoria and pleasure is still transmitted to the viewer!

Permalink Reply by joe kelly on March 11, 2008 at 1:07

denis, you are quite astute in that observation....

although initially, i rebelled against such a formulaic approach to art, as it was fundamental to the course i was on, i do now appreciate the skills it furnished me with......

after all, what are we doing if we can't relate(human form) in some way to that which we create?

and i reiterate....just look at some of the ecclesiastical sculpture, the artistry is magnificent.......
when someone says "wow, don't you just love that new damien hirst/tracey emin/chapman brothers piece...i feel like i should humiliate them in public, but don't........

how has the value of skill been so eroded?

i am at a loss to answer!

perhaps there needs to be penalties introduced for sub-standard work, almost like doing community service for not trying hard enough........

shit, by that rationale, half of the worlds artists would be digging graves or litter picking

Permalink Reply by Marina Graham on March 16, 2008 at 22:43

That is a very good question! How has the value of skill been so eroded? However I would agree that skill without soul is of limited value. Does skill exist without soul? And if it does, Why? Is it because the soul of the artist is enslaved to something?

I have made three of you administrators of this group. For some reason every time I have tried to send a message to you the site has crashed. Now for the first time, it hasn't!

Lynn, Joe and Denis, when you read this, please add one of your images to the group box. when you have done so I will make the others administrators so they can do the same.

Joe, I have very much enjoyed your contributions to discussions on this site! I will join in more myself when I am less tied up with a collaborative project I am currently working on!

Lots of love to all!

Marina