I like discovering interesting artists that I have never heard of before. French artist Bernard Lorjou (1908-1986) is one of them. I still don’t know much about him but I like his work.
Bernard Lorjou – Bull and Bullfighter (The Friends)
Bernard Lorjou – The Jazz Pianist
Bernard Lorjou – Circus Horse on Hind Legs
Bernard Lorjou – King David
More of his work can be seen at Lorjou.com (it’s a little challenging to navigate but worth the effort) or at the official Bernard Lorjou website.
Probably the best exhibition I have seen in Australia (coming from a fan of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Cezanne). Masterpieces from Paris has 9 Paul Gauguins, 7 Van Goghs and 8 Cezannes. So it’s more than one or two good paintings thrown in with a bunch of weaker paintings like the usual “blockbuster” exhibition. The Van Goghs alone are worth making the effort to see the exhibition.
It has been called the “most valuable collection of art ever to be exhibited in Australia.”
The works come from the Musee d’Orsay in Paris and will be on display at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra until April.
Vincent van Gogh – Starry Night Over the Rhone
I was surprised by how fresh this painting looks. For some reason I expected it to be smaller and duller than it really is. This painting was worth the 5 hour drive.
Vincent van Gogh – Bedroom at Arles
I thought this painting would be bigger. The Musée d’Orsay version of Vincent’s bedroom is a little smaller than the first two versions that he did. Still a great painting.
Vincent van Gogh – Portrait of the Artist
The man himself.
Paul Gauguin – Tahitian Women
I probably should like Gauguin more than I do. He did some really good paintings but I don’t think he comes close to Van Gogh or Cezanne. Having said that, I really liked seeing his paintings in the flesh.
I would show some more works but the NGA website was down. In short, Masterpieces from Paris is a must see if you’re an Australian. They’re easily the best paintings in the country at the moment.
Here’s some quotes by fellow Australian artist Leith O’Malley, from an interview here at Art and Art Ed.
“Remember there are not better artists, just better publicists!”
Leith O’Malley
“When I am creating art… I have a real sense of excitement and even enlightenment. Just me and the work. It’s still there when a painting is completed but never as strong as the point where you are still trying to fit all the pieces together be it compositional, aesthetically or the colour and tone decisions along the way.”
Leith O’Malley
“Dismiss nothing unless you are informed enough about it to have an opinion. It is a lot like music.. in that there are so many different genres, ways to enjoy, interpretations and possibilities to create yourself. Don’t have your blinkers on and be open to understanding and enjoying all forms of art as in music.”
Leith O’Malley
The Art Calendar magazine is accepting entries for their self portrait magazine cover competition. I’m not sure if artists outside of the United States can enter, but I entered it anyway. Entries are submitted online and it’s free to enter, so it was pretty easy.
Here’s my self portrait entry..
Here’s their blurb..
“Entrants will have the chance to win one of three great prizes. Our first place winner will receive a $500 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials and have their artwork featured on the cover of the March issue of the magazine! They will also be interviewed by one of the Art Calendar editors for a one-page profile, where we’ll feature a picture of the winner and their winning work. Our second place winner will receive a $150 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials and our third place winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Blick Art Materials. Both our second and third place finalists will have a half-page profile with an image of their work and a short biography about them inside the magazine.”
Find out more about the art competition on the Art Calendar website.
People are really good at making excuses and I’m no exception. I try not to accept my excuses though as they’re usually pathetic, just like all of your excuses for not getting off your butt and doing what you really should be doing now.
Here’s my pathetic excuses for not posting lately..
Here’s a recent painting of Melbourne (click for larger image)..
I sometimes wonder why? What’s the point? Why make art at all?
It’s usually only after days like today, days that are physically, mentally and emotionally draining.
Everything will be alright tomorrow.
I’m susbcribed to a whole bunch of newsletters and am bombarded with all kinds of promotional emails, most of which I never open. But one that I always open is from Other Criteria. It is a collective of artists, pushing all kinds of limited editions, prints, and publications, but I really only look at what Damien Hirst is selling.
I find the man endlessly fascinating. How can a man that sells deckchairs and clocks still pull off auction sales like he does? I’m sure I’ll tire of him someday and hate him for what he’s doing to art, but that day hasn’t come yet. I still love him, even if I don’t care much for his art. I almost bought the Damien Hirst clock below, but I just bought a whole bunch of art supplies (why is cadmium so damn expensive?!), so my art budget has blown out this month.
Innocence Lost
Damien Hirst
2009
200 x 50 mm
Glass bottle with sauasge and alcohol
Innocence Lost, a glass baby’s bottle containing a pork sausage pickled in alcohol, makes foul, connotative paradoxes out of ideas of nourishment and nurture. Visually, the work is a reminder of Hirst’s formaldehyde pieces as well as the surreal performances of pantomime and Punch & Judy shows. It is at once humorous and disturbing.
The glass bottle is engraved with the edition number, Hirst logo and signature.
Price: £5,200.00
Large Spot Clock
Damien Hirst
2009
35 cm diameter
White powdered metal case and metal back
German Quartz movement
The clock uses Hirst’s popular spot paintings as its face, the front of which is printed with his signature and the Hirst/Hirst logo. The rear is printed with the Other Critera logo and the clock name.
Price: £475.00
The Other Criteria newsletter is really worth subscribing to, especially if you’re an artist that thinks art is precious or that art and commerce shouldn’t mix.
Just thought I would share a nice EP called Queen of Cities put out by Luna Roslyn. They’re using one of my paintings from Turkey for the cover. Hear the songs on their MySpace page here or support them by buying the album online here. It’s good for the ears while holding a brush!
Luna Roslyn is also on Facebook.
“If the Earth was a single state, Istanbul would be its capital” – Napoleon Bonaparte
ARTINFO has reported on the new retail outlet of gallery mogul Larry Gagosian..
“The sleek, 2,500-square-foot, bi-level space, which opened to the public this past weekend, also inaugurates London import (and Gagosian artist) Damien Hirst’s publishing company and retail shop Other Criteria on the lower level, making for a kind of casual art emporium with a fancy ZIP code.” ArtInfo
I’m not against making money from art, but I can’t help thinking some of the super-famous art dealers and artists are taking advantage of poor rich folk. At the end of the day though, it’s a reflection of society rather than the gallery or artist. People love stuff, especially expensive stuff that can make them feel a part of the cool club. So, I’m sure the Gagosian retail store will be a great success.
See some of the products available to buy on the ArtInfo article.
Here’s a distinguished Australian art expert talking about art. Please don’t watch this video if the F-word offends.
The actor is Eric Bana and he’s playing the role of career criminal Mark Brandon “Chopper” Read. The Vincent/ear thing is worth noting as Chopper cut off his own ears.. and I believe he was shot several times also. The last artwork is of the Australian artist Ken Done for those that don’t know (most people outside of Australia I would imagine).
