Old Tapestry About Things I Cannot Change

Comment

Comment by Lea Goldman on November 25, 2016 at 12:52pm

Kristen,

I am grateful for your words. I thank you for stopping by my painting and looking at it attentively. It is just that very few people I know that are as observant and attentive as you are. For that I am truly thankful and most enocuraged as an artist. Sincerely, Lea

Comment by Resident Curator on November 25, 2016 at 9:20am

Thank you for your reply Lea!

I agree that many viewers believe that visual art should transcend words, and would prefer not to articulate why a particular work does or doesn't appeal to them.  But I believe that communication should ideally go both ways- talking about a piece enhances the exchange, and lets an artist know how their work is being received. I've often been surprised at the reactions to and interpretations of my work, so comments are welcome and insightful.

Comment by Lea Goldman on November 25, 2016 at 8:19am

Dear Kristen,

Thank you so very much for your insightful critique. It is my impression that in order to truly discover the allegorical intentions in my art pieces, as most meaningful elements in art, it is necessary to stop, be silent, and attentive. It is a rare quality in a viewer. Most people tend to overlook the intrinsic meaning and purpose of the work of art and rather have others do it for them. That is: if a painting is famous and society at large determined that it is valuable, people go along with it and demonstrate admiration. Also, if the subject matter and execution are familiar, fashionable, culturally and mostly commercially prized (such as impressionist representative style renditions, for instance) the viewers feel safe enough to “admire” the art piece. Fortunately there are wonderful people like yourself who look, truly look to understand. I value this quality in you greatly, and I am endlessly grateful for you. Yours Truly, Lea

Comment by Resident Curator on November 24, 2016 at 9:35am

Curator’s Comments:

 

Old Tapestry About Things I Cannot Change resonates with historical appropriation, and it’s both backward and forward thinking first person title.  Having enjoyed viewing the other figurative works in your portfolio some time ago, revisiting this piece I’m more appreciative of the beautiful murky blues and browns surrounding the fantastical elements to conjure a dream like reality. The dominant human figure encased or trapped within a gilded cage blends within the menagerie of Medieval animal creatures.  The unicorn central to the piece both controls the space, but sets up a conflict with the growling beast to our extreme left. The patterned motif across the top of the painting heightens the illustrative embellishment of the composition, but also projects a linear narrative seen in tapestry from antiquity.  While there is not a strong element I can visually point to responsible for introducing a contemporary feel, it nonetheless exhibits a subtle stylization that brings it into the modern (or Post-Modern) age.