Wild Orchid

Comment

Comment by Teresa Freedom on January 2, 2012 at 7:20pm

Thank you ... encouraging words indeed.

Comment by Resident Curator on January 2, 2012 at 5:49pm

Curator’s Comment:

 

 

It’s hard not to think of O’Keeffe when one views large scale flower paintings that fill the picture plane.  But the wondrously abstracted relationship she created between the figure-ground is also present in this work.  Hibiscus Lifescape suggests undulating terrain, and an interior space within an organic form.  I especially like the irregular maze of tendril-like lines within the central area, emanating from the right side where the petals meet.  The linear pattern on the petals surface also creates fluid movement, as if one is allowed to slowly transverse across the compressed topography.  The contrast of value helps to partition the space in an unpredictable way, as there is an inherent radial symmetry in floral forms.  Wild Orchid is also an exceedingly pleasurable work; in the explosive color patterning there is a crushing amount of detail and movement - surrendering visually to horror vacui.  The color and shapes are flame-like, and emit a surprising intensity for what otherwise could be a stoic subject matter.

Comment by Teresa Freedom on December 19, 2011 at 9:27pm

Oil on canvas ... 24" x 24" .... Thanks for asking

Comment by James MacMahon on December 19, 2011 at 6:06pm

Medium and size?