I love these drawings by Melissa Manful at
Taylor de Cordoba Gallery in Culver City. I like how she is mixing a more painterly language with architectural forms and line. Take a look at the press release
here and let me know what you think of this work.
It's really interesting! I too like the fanning shapes with the architectural shapes; it looks really different, and I like it. That's such a beautiful piece! It really looks like crystals!!
ReplyDelete-Mattie, Painting 1
The press release states that she is inspired by metaphysics and mysticism plus architectural forms and fear of the void. It's a varied mix of interests that yields pretty engrossing drawings. Something to think about as you continue making work: What are the things that you are fascinated by? Make a list of these things... what are you coming up with? Could you make drawings about these?
ReplyDeleteThere's something about that foreground (with the rock-shaped objects in an earth tone) that gives this piece a narrative. I feel like I'm overlooking some kind of surreal crystal palace on another planet.
ReplyDeleteI really like the geometrical shapes in the image as well. And there's something about the transparency that makes it all feel like a dream, or something floating around in your imagination. After reading the artist's statement, it feels like shes trying to fill in the void--all of the common philosophical questions we encounter at one point in our lives--by creating some of her own guesses, or even just distracting herself. Anyways, her galleries all the way in Culver City, but I'm considering this one for my exhibition review. I'll let you know.
Thanks,
Romtin
Romtin
Great! I would like to know your take on her work when you see it live!
ReplyDeleteThis work reminds me of something religious like a crystal cathedral or something like that. From a distance the image in the bottom center looked like a crucifix. Also it reminds me of supermans fotress of solitude haha but even superman has been compared with Jesus. Also the artist was Intrested in utopian societies and I believe that is what rwlgion is tryin to build as well. And her pursuit of filling the void and the emptiness can also be compared to religions attempt to vanish the fear of the unknown, the afterlife. I enjoy the contrast of the organic ink bleedings without the geometric forms. They blend together to form a beautiful piece.
ReplyDeleteStephan R.
Stephan, You are right now that I look at them from that angle they do have features of cathedral architecture. It would actually make sense she is referencing those kinds of buildings. Um... interesting. That was not my initial impression.
ReplyDeleteI really like this artwork because I can clearly see a story behind it. My thought might be different from the artist’s narrative, however; I guess he was strongly influenced by religious concepts and architectural forms. I am currently reading "Pilars of the Earth" and the cover of the book is very much similar to this painting, very interesting! When I look at this picture I see a battle between good and evil: good is represented by bright colors like yellow which may be seen as the sun and the blue which may be personified as the earth and the brown which may indicate rocks as mentioned before and maybe hell. It seems that the darkness is pushed back by a biblical figure like Jesus Christ to let the light and good spirit in, represented by forms which look like a cathedral. For some strange reason, I also resemble the center form another biblical figure Moses when he parts the Red Sea. Well hope I am not too off on this but I really like this artwork thanks for sharing professor.
ReplyDeleteAnia Alexandrian
Looking at this painting, at first I only noticed the crystal type image in the back + the rocks in front. Then when I focused more I noticed the image in the middle that looks like a person jumping off of the rocks into the "crsytal cathedral". This image seems analogous to attaining nirvana or something of that sort. The person is jumping from the security of the rocks to the ethers of the hazy crystal structure. I love the contrast between those elements and how the person mediates the two and forms a connection while at the same time establishing the difference. This is apparent in the way the colors are applied and their texture as well. This message seems to be reflected on every level of this painting; from the narrative aspect to the technique used to create it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way.. what are the times that this exhibition will be open? I'd love to check it out.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your comment here I decided to go see this exhibition and I was surprised. This work seems very narrative to me. I thought of it as a Christ figure in some sort of religious landscape. I didn't think that could be what she intends since it is not a very architectural interpretation but now I'm not sure. The fact that Ania and Stephan made similar comments above imply that this reading of the work must have occurred to the artist, even if it was not intentional.
ReplyDeleteIt was a surprise to me that none of the other works in this show seemed to be so narrative and few of them seemed to be representational to me. Strangely, I enjoyed this exhibition anyway. I say strange because usually narrative or representational works appeal the most to me.
I was pleased and surprised to see she works with ink. I thought it was watercolor I was seeing in this piece. I don't know why I find ink so appealing but it seems to be a medium of such clarity and purity. When my drawing teacher taught us to use ink, it was like something in me said finally! This is the poetry of art mediums! Sorry for the gushing (but ink works thrill me):0
I really like this painting , and i feel like something very Spiritual is coming out of the earth.
ReplyDeleteEdit Eskandari
I think the artist might be suggesting a doorway from earth (mountain) to heaven, through spirituality. I like it.
ReplyDeleteSoheila D.
This painting reminds me of a birth in a way - looking up through the thighs of earth to a yellow breast plate with an explosion of color beyond and out the top. Her use of constrained (almost pointalism) and then use of very free and loose color washes give me a feeling of cotroled chaos. Susie G.
ReplyDeleteI can see how this work would be seen as a painting and a very technical drawing as well. The presence of architectural technique is very strong, but the organic nature of the mountains in the foreground are particullarly pleasing to the eye. I wish I could have seen this in person...but I will look for her in the future!
ReplyDeleteRebecca B