Art Gallery Visit #1
:: Burchfield Penney Art Center
A.)
Which artworks make an impact or impression on me? Why?
Ling Xia Jiang
Wrapped House, 1991
Oil on Canvas
The impression I got from this picture is that here is a
girl in a field with a house in the distant.
I felt that this girl feels isolated from this house or distant from
this house and that is why it is wrapped.
Almost as if it is something within reach but something that she cannot
feel a part of.
Virginia Cuthbert
Several Summers Ago,
1966
Oil on Canvas
The impression I got from this was it was just a lazy day
spent but some family or friends enjoying a game of croquet. These three are taking a break from the game
and sitting down enjoying each other. A
relaxing picture.
Larry W. Griffis, Jr.
Yellow Sky, 1959
Oil on Board
The impression I got from this is that the artist was trying
to make me think. Why use these colors
and in such a rigid way? I love the
color choices of the reds, yellows, and oranges. I see land, mountain, and sky when I look at
this picture.
B.)
Which artworks do I feel a connection with? Why?
Charles E. Burchfield
Portrait Study in a
Spring Landscape (Martha)
Watercolor, graphite, and charcoal on joined paper
In the next three portraits I feel a connection because they
are of children. These are taken of
Charles Burchfield children and are very beautifully done. I love the color that was brought out in
these. I am drawn to these because I
have children and I love and adore their portraits. I can only imagine what these meant to him
creating them and then enjoying them. I
especially love the one of his son just sitting on the steps reading a
book. Capturing a leisurely pastime of a
young boy enjoying a book.
Charles E. Burchfield
Artist’s
Daughter---Catherine, 1930-1960
Watercolor, graphite, and charcoal on joined paper
Charles E. Burchfield
Rainy Day, 1935
Reproduction of watercolor on paper
C.)
Which artworks would I like to know more about? Why?
John L. Garretson
Untitled, Undated
Bromoil photograph
I am curious about this photograph. I have always been drawn to old photos. It is the wondering about the day, what
happened around that time, why was this ship there? What was this ship doing and where was it
going?
John L. Garretson
Untitled, Undated
Bromoil photograph
I am curious about this photograph. I have always been drawn to old photos. It is the wondering about the day, what happened around that time, why was this ship there? What was this ship doing and where was it going?
Bill Stewart
Shaman, 1989
Glazed terracotta
I found this sculpture neat.
It reminds me of some of the artwork in the movie Beetlejuice. I wonder what
the artist was thinking of when he created this particular piece. It is a very interesting piece of work that
provokes many different thoughts for me as to what and why it is.
The first image in is breathtaking. I want to know more about it! I think it has to do with a girl being in a big world of endless possibilities. And it is just a matter of following your dreams. I love that you used Charles Burchfield. His artwork is amazing.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice to visit the Burchfield Penny Art Center. You expertly analyzed these works making concise points about each. Elmwood Avenue has many great facilities however, this treasure is on the campus of Buffalo State. I enjoyed each of your selections and you have inspired me to visit The BPAC again this summer to view these works.
ReplyDeleteLing Xia Jiang created Wrapped House that expertly utilizes space to create a distinct feeling of being isolated from an object. The vibrant sky color and the yellow field that separates the girl in the foreground has a feeling of a wheat field. The texture in her clothing is distinctive and you can almost feel each wrinkle in her clothes. I concur with your thoughtful analysis of the work. I also get the impression that this blurred house on the horizon is out of her reach.
The second work was compelling also. With elements of texture, color and spacing this work has a subtle quality. I feel that you accurately identified the feel of a friendly game of croquet on a summer afternoon. However, I question why the distance between the subjects. Visually they are aligned and the spacing between the older man in the foreground seems to be the first person the artist wants you to see as opposed to the young man and young woman. Clothing colors contrast with the natural landscapes. Thirdly the vibrant use of colors in the Griffis work was an outstanding work. You astutely noted the distinct color discipline. In spite of its abstract interpretation I almost felt as though I was somewhere in the American West and enjoying a sunrise or set over a mountain range. The distinctive black lines enveloping the colorful mountains provide form to the ranges.
Like you, I enjoyed the paintings of Burchfield’s children. The first two had a pale yet colorful feel to them. Rainy Day was by far my personal favorite. The interior of the house was that of virtually any house in Buffalo or the first ring suburbs. Right down to the steeple of the church outside of the first landing window this is the Buffalo area summarized in a painting. Even the minute detail of the stain following the grain on the wood is portrayed in this work. My own house, family and friends live in this style of house it evokes a certain homesickness from eight thousand miles away. The young man patiently reads while he awaits the cue to go outside to enjoy his toy train that lays a few feet away when the weather permits
Both of the photographs intrigue me as well. The gentlemen seated along what appears to be a shore line seems to be older. Although are the wrinkles on his skin caused prematurely by years of hard work on the docks or fishing? Both have a value historically as they portray elements of life in years past. So these photographs intrigue me as a historian.
You choose great works to review. Your thoughtful comments were compelling and supplemented the discourse. Overall I felt you chose thought provoking works. Good job.
From looking at the artwork you chose, I want to visit the Burchfield Art Center now. I feel the pieces you chose show a little bit about you because they can all connect with each other. I love the pieces that have just one person then stuff around them it is very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the portrait several summers ago. I think this is a perfect depiction of a lazy summer day. Makes me wish summer gets here soon! I enjoyed all of these photos think you did a great job of choosing different pictures.
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