As far as art exhibitions go, this one was interesting! I attended the exhibition on the 20/11/11 at 1pm at the ART GALLERY OF NSW. There was a dark waiting room before the exhibition, dedicated to display the private collection photos of Picasso, friends and family members. All black and white of course. And in that room was a large screen a few meters high by a few meters wide displaying old films of Picasso painting. That was interesting because it was filmed standing opposite Picasso on the other side of a tall and wide pain of clear glass, which he painted various designs on! He used a thick paint brush and a cream coloured oil paint where he demonstrates simple abstract strokes forming figures of animals and humans. These designs are depicted in many of his finished paintings that we are all familiar with. It gave me a close look at his free hand and his easy flowing ideas. His brush strokes were confident, and he painted with a jovial facade, every now and again stopping to smile at the camera filming him! These movies were filmed in his later years, I would say in or around his 80's. Then again people did look older than there true age those days, so he may infact have only been 35! Who knows!!
There was nothing else shown in these movies but him painting, alone.
It was time to enter the hall where his paintings were held, and off we went! The displayed paintings were catogorised from the earliest ones to the most recent ones.
Firstly what I noticed was that I wasn't yet seeing anything remotely close to what I knew as Picasso style paintings! What I was seeing was a large display of hand drawings of people, and hardly any abstract at all! More realism than anything else.
As the years progressed his style changed along with it.
I noticed something quite unusual, in around the middle of his career, although the paintings remained large and bold, it's almost as though he became tired, depressed or simply just lazy! The displays went from intricate detail and magnificent realism to child like simplicity and basic blotches of people on canvas! To me they seemed unenthusiastic, like he had lost his vitality. But of course I could be completely wrong about that, and may have just been a new style that he thought he'd tamper with! It wasn't so appealing or interesting to the eye however. Knowing very little about his personal history, I may not be aware of something that might have happened to him around that time, but I choose to remain ignorant and treat this as a simple "take" of my own.
It was in the 60's and 70's that I finally got to see the paintings that we all know and love! That became a little more exciting for me! Now keep in mind I might be out a year or two, or even a decade or so, and plainly going by what I "remember" of the exhibition, because I didn't infact document it whilst I was there.
The over all comment I have about it is that he had so MANY styles of creating, that it wasn't easy keeping up with it all! But what I personally liked about that the most, is that it reminded me of myself!! I thought, up until I had seen that exhibition, that there was something "wrong" with me, in that I can never just stick to ONE style of painting, or, had too many interests in design to focus on just one thing alone!. But I guess that comes with being creative! And since Picasso was the same, I'm not complaining!!
There were also displays of many many sculptures that he had made over the years. These I was not that interested in myself, because I was there to take note of his technique in his paintings, and it is what interested me the most. Plus the fact that sculpting has never actually been a creative interest of mine.
The sculptures were however large, above 6 foot, and mostly made of bronze, showing either men, women or animals. Others made of metal sheeting that formed abstract designs depicting musical instruments. Infact, I can say as a broad statement that his entire collection of paintings and sculptures consist of a very small hand full of subjects and those being, women (naked), animals (bulls and goats) and musical instruments (string). Not nessasarily all in the one combination, but mostly! There are a few paintings with a male child here and there and a man or two, but not many of them!
I guess like any artist he appreciated the female form, and being a male artist even more so. The animals displayed in his paintings I personally feel had a close relation to sexuality, people and women, which is the main focus of his work. My guess is, in Picasso's mind it was all related, and it made perfect sense!
I found the bull's especially interesting in his paintings, and they are a large focus in a certain era of his work, I think from memory around the 40's. He painted them over and over again. I wondered what was going through his mind?? Again, my guess would be, the bull being an extremely powerful animal, and a dominating one, and he admired it for those qualities. They may have represented some of his own! Or again I could be just talking rubbish since I also know very little about that time and place in history, for all I know bullfighting may have been a major craze!
My favourite painting from the entire exhibition was the bullfight, 'death of the torero'. It's only a small painting but what impressed me was firstly that it was so very different from anything else shown at the exhibition, in other words, I'm not sure if there are more like that hiding somewhere else in the world, but it was unique there! The very fine strokes and detail is what I loved, and the over all power of the image itself. The "true" picasso style is incorporated and of course I adore colour, and it's loaded with that too! Making is a great cocktail!
His etchings I also admired and need to mention, because again, this man had multiple talents and displayed in the one place! It was mind boggling!
There were many etchings done around the middle of his career, again going by memory, and I found them to be even more amazing than his paintings! The detail that was depicted in them and the beautiful flow of the lines is magnificent!
I have personally only ever experienced the making of an etching back when I was at school, so I'm buggered as to how it's actually made, but I think it's a print made from a drawing scratched onto to glass. Pardon my ignorance and lack of effort to research that! But I had more important things to write about!
An Art Gallery Analysis
One of my projects in my university art class was to visit an art gallery and organize an analysis of the gallery as well as to select one artist's work which is on display. I was to discuss the merits of that selected work of art for all to see. As you drive towards the ocean, east of Lewis Delaware, you encounter a quaint little art gallery on your left with a full size sign above the gallery reading, "Peninsula Gallery". After parking at 520 Savannah Road and entering the shop, you first encounter the friendly owners and operators, Carol and Tony Boyd-Heron. Both of these individuals are very knowledge in the field of art and in particular those clients with whom they represent.
The gallery is composed of four major sections, the main gallery with its general selection of art work, a separate featured artist exhibit area and two business sections for building frames and art restoration. On entering the gallery I was at first disappointed for I had expected the business to be larger than what it actually was. I felt it was unusually small however in all fairness; there were some unique and interesting paintings on the walls from some of Delaware's outstanding local artists. I saw some harbor scenes in acrylic painted by Tara Funk Grime. Her works appealed to my whimsical nature however, my goal was to review the work of Frank Schoonover who was scheduled for an exhibit at the gallery between February 2nd and the 28th. Unfortunately, the paintings for Mr. Schoonover had not arrived at the gallery as of the time of my arrival.
Being somewhat of an artist myself, I inquired about the lack of any sort of modern styles of art being displayed in the gallery. In response, Mr. Boyd-Heron informed me that the studio's customers who frequent the gallery were more conventional in their taste; therefore most contemporary art work was usually not available. Being a small gallery there were no specific tools in place to guide one to any significant displays. In lieu of a central focal point, I would have to state that if any art were of exceptional value above the others, it would likely be those which occupy the front display areas. These are the first works viewed as you enter the gallery.
I continued to take a short walk through the main section of the gallery and alternately chanced upon the works of Howard Eberle. I previously had never viewed any of this gentleman's art. Although Mr. Eberle's watercolor compositions were generally simple seascape scenes, he produced some very dramatic paintings with solid perspective and firm form. The longer I gazed at his art work the more appreciative I was to his style. His use of simple humble objects produced a spontaneous freshness in his composition and hinged closely to an abstract style. Even Mr. Eberle refers to his particular painting style as "abstract realism". Viewing his work for any length of time provides a new found peacefulness for one's soul.
Several of his art works feature such common objects as weather vanes, an old abandoned rocking chair, a badly weathered rowboat or other objects often overlooked by the non-artist eye. In his art we can view empty deck chairs as if they are inviting us to sit and observe the ocean from which it faces all within a type of surreal environment.
Much of his projects feature strong shadow textures and a certain amount of graphical influence perhaps as a result of his heavily inspired architectural background. I was very impressed by his use of lights and shadows to project a sense of time into the paintings.
Although Mr. Eberlie has several excellent works of art that I could select to analyze and discuss I have managed to break down my selection to one only. I will talk about his watercolor painting referred to as "Sunset Bay".
This small painting is less than two feet by three feet, but packs an abundance of artistic strengths in its small package. It sits on the wall with other works from Eberlie's collection of art. The only identifying data for the art work is a small card attached to the wall indicating the artist's name. I was forced to do additional research in order to identify the piece of art accurately and place a specific name upon it.
As with keeping with the artist's practice of simplicity we see white sand based against a receding sun. The horizon is clearly shown, indicating by both color and light that evening has approached. The darkness of the chair in the foreground reveals not only a measure of shadow but a sharp contrast against the lighter shades of the painting. The design aspects of the piece fit together perfectly and provide the observer with a feeling of closure and balance.
When I view this work of art I am first impressed at how my eyes are drawn into the declining sun on the horizon. The straight lines associated with the solid chair compliment the roundness we see in the fading sun. Both horizontal and vertical lines blend together in harmony while the artist has successfully transferred a feeling of calm with his weak and light shadowy effect. These cold black shadows of the chair contrast perfectly with the warm skylight shades. We can not view this painting without realizing how Eberlie has maintained an abundance of space on his canvas yet has overlapped that space with firm, solid objects with accurate proportions.
As we look at "Sunset Bay" we realize how often we have been in this particular scene without appreciating the full impact of what we were seeing. I have frequently taken my own folding lawn chair and visited the coastal towns along the Delaware shore and sat calmly at the edge of the ocean listening to the waves and hearing the gulls above while watching the distant sun go down slowly beyond the horizon. To do so, reveals a calm life at the shore with no human intervention other than me and Mother Nature. I truly have to thank Mr. Eerlie for bring back so many fine memories of my past years.
The website for "Peninsula Gallery" is clearly laid out and can be easily navigated without difficulty. Within its pages you will find samples of the artwork which is on display at the gallery and a list of upcoming exhibitions. Assuming that the art work had arrived to the gallery as planned the web site would have proven useful for this trip. It is unfortunate that the internet site could not provide a better view of the art pieces and further explanation of the art contained within the gallery, as that would have been very helpful prior to my visit. However, the owners have done as well as can be expected and no problems were experienced. Even though the expected exhibit was not present the experience was still enjoyable and worthwhile. I will likely revisit the site in the future in order to see what is scheduled and visit the gallery accordingly.
The gallery is composed of four major sections, the main gallery with its general selection of art work, a separate featured artist exhibit area and two business sections for building frames and art restoration. On entering the gallery I was at first disappointed for I had expected the business to be larger than what it actually was. I felt it was unusually small however in all fairness; there were some unique and interesting paintings on the walls from some of Delaware's outstanding local artists. I saw some harbor scenes in acrylic painted by Tara Funk Grime. Her works appealed to my whimsical nature however, my goal was to review the work of Frank Schoonover who was scheduled for an exhibit at the gallery between February 2nd and the 28th. Unfortunately, the paintings for Mr. Schoonover had not arrived at the gallery as of the time of my arrival.
Being somewhat of an artist myself, I inquired about the lack of any sort of modern styles of art being displayed in the gallery. In response, Mr. Boyd-Heron informed me that the studio's customers who frequent the gallery were more conventional in their taste; therefore most contemporary art work was usually not available. Being a small gallery there were no specific tools in place to guide one to any significant displays. In lieu of a central focal point, I would have to state that if any art were of exceptional value above the others, it would likely be those which occupy the front display areas. These are the first works viewed as you enter the gallery.
I continued to take a short walk through the main section of the gallery and alternately chanced upon the works of Howard Eberle. I previously had never viewed any of this gentleman's art. Although Mr. Eberle's watercolor compositions were generally simple seascape scenes, he produced some very dramatic paintings with solid perspective and firm form. The longer I gazed at his art work the more appreciative I was to his style. His use of simple humble objects produced a spontaneous freshness in his composition and hinged closely to an abstract style. Even Mr. Eberle refers to his particular painting style as "abstract realism". Viewing his work for any length of time provides a new found peacefulness for one's soul.
Several of his art works feature such common objects as weather vanes, an old abandoned rocking chair, a badly weathered rowboat or other objects often overlooked by the non-artist eye. In his art we can view empty deck chairs as if they are inviting us to sit and observe the ocean from which it faces all within a type of surreal environment.
Much of his projects feature strong shadow textures and a certain amount of graphical influence perhaps as a result of his heavily inspired architectural background. I was very impressed by his use of lights and shadows to project a sense of time into the paintings.
Although Mr. Eberlie has several excellent works of art that I could select to analyze and discuss I have managed to break down my selection to one only. I will talk about his watercolor painting referred to as "Sunset Bay".
This small painting is less than two feet by three feet, but packs an abundance of artistic strengths in its small package. It sits on the wall with other works from Eberlie's collection of art. The only identifying data for the art work is a small card attached to the wall indicating the artist's name. I was forced to do additional research in order to identify the piece of art accurately and place a specific name upon it.
As with keeping with the artist's practice of simplicity we see white sand based against a receding sun. The horizon is clearly shown, indicating by both color and light that evening has approached. The darkness of the chair in the foreground reveals not only a measure of shadow but a sharp contrast against the lighter shades of the painting. The design aspects of the piece fit together perfectly and provide the observer with a feeling of closure and balance.
When I view this work of art I am first impressed at how my eyes are drawn into the declining sun on the horizon. The straight lines associated with the solid chair compliment the roundness we see in the fading sun. Both horizontal and vertical lines blend together in harmony while the artist has successfully transferred a feeling of calm with his weak and light shadowy effect. These cold black shadows of the chair contrast perfectly with the warm skylight shades. We can not view this painting without realizing how Eberlie has maintained an abundance of space on his canvas yet has overlapped that space with firm, solid objects with accurate proportions.
As we look at "Sunset Bay" we realize how often we have been in this particular scene without appreciating the full impact of what we were seeing. I have frequently taken my own folding lawn chair and visited the coastal towns along the Delaware shore and sat calmly at the edge of the ocean listening to the waves and hearing the gulls above while watching the distant sun go down slowly beyond the horizon. To do so, reveals a calm life at the shore with no human intervention other than me and Mother Nature. I truly have to thank Mr. Eerlie for bring back so many fine memories of my past years.
The website for "Peninsula Gallery" is clearly laid out and can be easily navigated without difficulty. Within its pages you will find samples of the artwork which is on display at the gallery and a list of upcoming exhibitions. Assuming that the art work had arrived to the gallery as planned the web site would have proven useful for this trip. It is unfortunate that the internet site could not provide a better view of the art pieces and further explanation of the art contained within the gallery, as that would have been very helpful prior to my visit. However, the owners have done as well as can be expected and no problems were experienced. Even though the expected exhibit was not present the experience was still enjoyable and worthwhile. I will likely revisit the site in the future in order to see what is scheduled and visit the gallery accordingly.
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