NEVER TOO OLD TO START.....
Those who follow me will now be «visiting» quite a few of the same museums, foundations or galleries....but in the coming months there are quite a few new ones coming up for me. We are not there yet. I love the Cartier Fondation. The lighting is superb and when weather permits, sitting out in the little garden is a pleasure. My daughter had been to see «Histoire de Voir» or «Show and Tell» and was full of enthusiasm. Now it was my turn.
«Show and Tell» presents the work of over 50 artists from around the world. Brazilian, Indian, Congolese,Haitian, Mexican, Danish, Japanese and American. Virtually without exception, these artists are self-taught men (and two women), often considered as naïve in their techniques and not too many of them had been invited to exhibit their works in other contemporary art centres.
What is amazing is that nearly all of them started work as builders, gardeners or in some manual occupation and then their art became their «first» occupation. Often discovered by visitors in their communities which were most of the time off the beaten track of «the white man». I gather too that as they are not nomadic races like the Australian aborigines, so their art or talents were passed down from one generation to another. A mother who made pottery pots taught her daughter the same and the daughter took her work further. (Isabel Mendes da Cunha....Brazilian).
Those who sculpted had often «had a vision» - the wood made up its mind what is was going to be. My daughter talks in much the same way. «I don’t decide», she says, «the material I am using does it for me».
Artists too who are very influenced by Shaman make masks which are colourful and yet weird at the same time. These too of course are now commercialized although many of the artists continue to use their shamanic forces.
One artist, another schizophrenic reminded me of Martin Storr (chapter A city of the Future of the 29th February). Madness seems to indicate a precision in brush work and detail which would drive me quite berserk.
There is so much energy in this work. Some artists have followed Rousseau, the Japanese Tadanori Yakoo who started off by copying paintings and now has a rather before and after style. Pretty cruel at times but one still smiles...
The latter two paintings were not at the exhibition
Hans Scherfig who is very wrapped up in animals although he may never have seen a jungle.
Nino from Brazil who knew from the shape of the wood how it would turn out....
Valdir Benites also from Brazil feels that animals escape to the depths of a forest - and probably for very good reasons.....
Jivya Soma Masche from India. A lace like painting to show his fish men.....
Or Da Silva (?) or Joseca from Brazil. Could you resist these?
A women stopped me. Mouth and eyes wide open. «I don’t know what I was expecting, but nothing as beautiful as these....» «Yes» I replied. «And they didn’t start to paint early either. It gives me hope...» She went on....«I agree. We are not too old to start....» We may have been of the same generation but I could never hope to obtain such results. My daughter perhaps......
«Show and Tell» presents the work of over 50 artists from around the world. Brazilian, Indian, Congolese,Haitian, Mexican, Danish, Japanese and American. Virtually without exception, these artists are self-taught men (and two women), often considered as naïve in their techniques and not too many of them had been invited to exhibit their works in other contemporary art centres.
 |
| Poster for the Exhibition |
 |
| At the entrance |
 |
| Another view |
 |
| "The Family Ortiz" and looking into the garden |
 |
| Isabel Mendes da Cunha |
"To be an artisan is the same thing as to be an artist. I thought I was an artist but then again an artisan. I prefer to be an artist, artisan-artist"
Those who sculpted had often «had a vision» - the wood made up its mind what is was going to be. My daughter talks in much the same way. «I don’t decide», she says, «the material I am using does it for me».
 |
| Barrio - Mexican |
Artists too who are very influenced by Shaman make masks which are colourful and yet weird at the same time. These too of course are now commercialized although many of the artists continue to use their shamanic forces.
One artist, another schizophrenic reminded me of Martin Storr (chapter A city of the Future of the 29th February). Madness seems to indicate a precision in brush work and detail which would drive me quite berserk.
 |
| Marcel Storr |
 |
| Mamadou Cisse - Senegal |
There is so much energy in this work. Some artists have followed Rousseau, the Japanese Tadanori Yakoo who started off by copying paintings and now has a rather before and after style. Pretty cruel at times but one still smiles...
 |
| Tadanori Yokoo - Japanese |
 |
| Tadanori - Captive Play |
 |
| Tadanori - "Burning Sky" |
The latter two paintings were not at the exhibition
 |
| Nino |
 |
| Hans Scherfig |
Nino from Brazil who knew from the shape of the wood how it would turn out....
 |
| Valdir Benites |
 |
| Jivya Soma Masche |
Or Da Silva (?) or Joseca from Brazil. Could you resist these?
 |
| Da Silva |
 |
| Joseca |
A women stopped me. Mouth and eyes wide open. «I don’t know what I was expecting, but nothing as beautiful as these....» «Yes» I replied. «And they didn’t start to paint early either. It gives me hope...» She went on....«I agree. We are not too old to start....» We may have been of the same generation but I could never hope to obtain such results. My daughter perhaps......
Commentaires