Highlighting Outsider, Underground AND established artists.
The artwork used in ‘The Wall’ is up for sale!
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Original paintings by Gerald Scarfe, which were featured in the film by Pink Floyd, ‘the Wall,’ are up for sale, on the San Francisco Art Exchange. A major exhibit of the pieces will also take place in San Francisco in July. Hey, if you’ve got a spare few million bob lying around, won’t you buy a piece for me? ‘The Wall’ was an instrumental movie and album for me in so many ways, as a young adult survivor of childhood trauma, because many of the key themes involve abandonment, isolation, public shame, victimization, overprotective family, and the descent into madness. There have also been many parallels made recently between current events and the fascist dictator fantasies which the main character, Pink, lapses into. There are traces of 1940’s Nazi Germany throughout the film adaptation of the musical score.
“I’ve got wild, staring eyes and a strong urge to fly.” Gerald Scarfe: http://www.geraldscarfe.com/ |
The inspired, Outsider Art of David Bowie |
In addition to being a songwriter, singer, performance artist, humanitarian and creative genius, David Bowie was also an accomplished, Outsider Artist. If you’ve never seen his art, you really should: http://www.boredpanda.com/david-bowie-paintings-postmodern-art/
Shades of Edvard Munch and Jean Michel Basquiat are prevalent to me, although most Bowie fans know that he was a voracious consumer of contemporary art, so there could be any number of influences at play in his work here. At any rate, it is fascinating to examine his art, and get to know the mind behind the music!And speaking of David Bowie, Niche is very excited to report that you can now purchase official Royal Mail David Bowie commemorative stamps in the U.S.! God bless you, http://britishstampservice.com/ |
Lil Gafer: Outsider Artist Extraordinaire
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One of the most interesting artists I’ve discovered in recent years is Lil Gafer. She started drawing in her 80’s, and is now 94 years young. She is entirely self-taught, and her work intrigues me a great deal. She does a lot of illustration work, and it is reminiscent of Erte, which is an all-time favorite illustrator. I have a huge penchant for the 1920s, so Lil Gafer’s art really speaks to me. Her story also intrigues me a great deal, as someone who came to become an artist only in recent years, too, although I’ve been drawing and painting most of my life. Lil Gafer is living proof that it’s never too late to be who you truly are! Check out her work, here: https://fineart.ha.com/itm/illustration/lil-gafer-illustrator-doodle-for-hunger-ink-on-cardstock-paper-11-x-9-1-4-inches-279-x-235-cm-/a/599-15.s
And on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilgafer/ |
The Auschwitz Artist: Turning Trauma into Transcendent Art
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And speaking of 1940’s Nazi Germany, David Olère was just brought to my attention, after reading a profile of his work on ‘Dangerous Minds.’ David survived imprisonment in Auschwitz by creating illustrated postcards for Nazi soldiers. He was also equipped with the tools he needed to create haunting, deeply disturbing artwork, chronicling his experience in the camps. Everything from the horrors of human experimentation to the nightmares of witnessing the slow death march to the gas chambers, his work is both important and informative. It reminds us of the power of the paintbrush and a pair of eyes- being a witness, even to the most horrific of atrocities, and having the courage to share that story, can change the world for the better, and remind of us of something we must never forget. We cannot repeat history, for it is at our own peril if we do. In an age of renewed anti-Semitism, I would strongly encourage you to take a look at his work, and then tell me that it’s a good idea to allow this rising tide to continue. Think again!
Learn more: https://fcit.usf.edu/holocaust/resource/gallery/olere.htm |
Where East Meets West: the beautiful symbolism of Xenia Gazi |
Asian symbolism, calligraphy and patterns influence this promising artist and curator, Xenia Gazi. She has a stunning portfolio of work, and has shown her art throughout Europe and the Middle East. Xenia's art perfectly embodies the concept of East meets West, and celebrates her cultural traditions, in a modern, innovative way. There is also a nod to traditional, folk art, which is a favored style for this writer. If you enjoy modern art with strong folkloric overtones, be sure to check out Xenia Gazi's work! xeniagazi.com/ |