IX - Non Western

 

Non-Western Art

Kanō School

    Non-western art is creative work that isn't originally from European or North American artists or culture. Pieces like Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, 1797, would not be classified as non-western art while pieces like Katsushika Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa, 1831, would be classified as non-western art.

    One of my favorite periods in non-Western art history would have to be the Japanese Kanō School of Art. The Kanō School is considered one of the most well-renowned disciplines of painting in Japanese art history and lasted for over 300 years. The style is scenic and bright, with roots in influential Guó Huà, or traditional Chinese painting. Kanō school had a strong focus on capturing picturesque and often contrasting and colorful landscapes, prominent figures, and balanced scenes of flora and fauna representative of the natural seasons. Many of these pieces were painted/displayed on Byōbu, or paneled folding screens. Inks, paints, and gold leaf were commonly used in these works.

I selected these pieces because they fit within my art movement and non-western region of choice.

Cypress Trees (16th-17th century - 1590's roughly), Japan

Ink and paint on paper, with gold leaf, on eight-panel folding screen 

Kanō Eitoku (1543-1590)

    This is a beautiful panel of artwork that depicts Cypress trees on a hill overlooking a deep blue pond or lake and a horizon of mountain peaks and puffy clouds. Minus the mountains, this painting reminds me of driving through the hills of Northern California and through Cypress and Redwood trees as I made my way toward the coast. It inspires memories of fresh misty air and the smell of conifer needles. It is easy to appreciate the form of this painting; there is a depth to the painting style that emphasizes the illusion of distance. It's as though one could walk straight into the scene and stand near the trees, overlooking the water. there is a theory this painting was actually created by Kanō Sōshū, the younger brother of Kanō Eitoku.

Jinshan Island and West Lake (1630), Japan

Ink and color on paper, with gold leaf, on six-panel folding screen

Kanō Sanraku (1559-1635)

    This piece reminds me of being in my childhood home. I remember copies of paintings like this in my stepfather's art study. It also reminds me of a wooden sculpture I once saw, made of small bits of cut wood barely thicker than pencil shavings. It was an intricate and gorgeous city with rooftops like those seen in this painting. I particularly like how it almost looks like a map of an ancient city or landmass. The unmarked portions of the painting, which I believe are representative of deep valleys or rural/infrequently trekked regions, could be far and wide in expanse or as small as a mile between mountain peaks. The linework really defines the focus on building and geographic structures and proximity. In truth, the painting depicts two different scenes that are 150 miles apart, and they are both in China.

 Birds and Flowers of Spring and Summer (latter half of 17th century), Japan

Ink and paint on paper, with gold leaf, on six-panel folding screen

Kanō Einō (1631-1697)

      This painting depicts the flora and winged fauna of the Spring and Summer seasons in Japan. There is an ethereal essence to the painting. It looks, to me, like a representation of Eden, though that could be because the piece looks like a depiction of paradise right out of some fantasy novel. The tree in the middle could be the tree of life, and the birds and flowers could symbolize purity, grace, and peace. The gold leaf on the panel adds a rich and, well, heavenly appeal to the piece. More so than a Christian feel, however, is the distinct quintessence of a Zen state of consciousness, perhaps in relation to Buddhist value judgments, this painting gives off.

“File:Kano Eino - Birds and Flowers of Spring and Summer - Google Art Project.jpg - Wikipedia.” Commons.wikimedia.org, en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kano_Eino_-_Birds_and_Flowers_of_Spring_and_Summer_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg.

“Kano Sanraku | Jinshan Island and West Lake | Japan | Edo Period (1615–1868).” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/671028.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Cypress Trees.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 1 July 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cypress_Trees.

---. “Kanō School.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kan%C5%8D_school.

VIII - Postodern: Diversity

1980 - Present

    What I love most about the Postmodern "Diversity" movement is how the world of art exploded into a symphony of imagination-fueled creative liberty and self-expression. It was the opening of a floodgate for many non-white artists, especially. This is when we finally start to see stronger influences of different ethnicities, religions, and cultures within art, and the "white male" steps out of the spotlight.

Orange Prince (1984) - synthetic polymer paint and silkscreen on canvas

Andy Warhol (1928-1987)

Camouflage Self-Portrait (1986) - acrylic and silkscreen on canvas

Andy Warhol (1928-1987)

    Orange Prince and Camouflage Self-Portrait reflect Diversity in the use of different mediums to come up with unique pieces unlike any art before them. Andy Warhol was a female, American artist. She was one of a growing number of female artists joining the realm of creativity, a realm that was once dominated by men. Warhol applies emphasized linework on top of silkscreen and influences the tone of the piece by using solid, contrasting paint colors in Orange Prince as well as Camouflage Self-Portrait. In the latter piece, acrylic was layered in a chaotic pattern that resembles army camouflage. The practice of painting over an image to give it further life or meaning has become a much more common art form after Warhol. While I respect the style, it isn't my favorite. I think it is interesting, and I know plenty of people who would especially love the Orange Prince, but I would not find these in my home.

Riding With Death (1988) - acrylic and oil paint stick on canvas

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988)

Warrior (1982) - acrylic and oil paint stick on wood panel

Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988)

    Riding With Death and Warrior reflects Diversity in the use of different mediums to come up with unique pieces that are symbolic and some of the most well-renowned artwork in African-American history. Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist of African descent, who worked his way up to becoming one of the most influential artists in Postmodern history. Both paintings use acrylic and oil paint sticks. Basquiat predominantly relies on line, shape, and color to portray his subjects in Riding With Death and in Warrior. There are aspects of these two paintings that are very similar while, on the surface, they look to be nothing alike. There seems to be a recurring theme of skeletons in Basquiat's works. Perhaps this emphasizes on human mortality and the close relationship between life and death. I will say that I am drawn to Riding With Death more than I am to Warrior. While I appreciate the $42m piece, Warrior is just a bit too chaotic for my tastes. I love the minimalism of the first painting as well as the thoughts it inspires in me, and I absolutely would find it in my home.

Arctic Flow(1983) - acrylic on linen

Lilian Thomas Burwell (1927 - )

Waxleaf (1981) - acrylic on canvas

Lilian Thomas Burwell (1927 - )

    Arctic Flow and Waxleaf reflect Diversity in the use of different mediums to come up with abstract pieces that are eye-catching and make their admirers think. Lilian Thomas Burwell loves to blend the practices of painting and sculpting into flowing masterpieces. in fact, "flow" seems to be a common theme and style of painting for Burwell. There is an apparent use of line and shape to emphasize the petals or leaves in each piece. Tones are set with the contrasts of white and black, as notable in Arctic Flow, or light and dark shades of the same color, as notable with the many different greens in Waxleaf. There is also a strong sense of form as the colors and lines give definition to the paintings, making them pop out Both paintings are gorgeous, in my opinion. However, there is more balance of Waxleaf, more color, and a strong symbology. It reminds me of Yin and Yang and the balance we individually strive to achieve in our lives, in life. 

“Lilian Thomas Burwell | Arctic Flow | SOLD | 1983 | Berry Campbell Gallery.” Berrycampbell.com, berrycampbell.com/exhibition/155/exhibition_works/4966. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.

“Lilian Thomas Burwell | Waxleaf | 1981 | Berry Campbell Gallery.” Berrycampbell.com, 2023, www.berrycampbell.com/artist/Lilian%20Thomas_Burwell/works/4370. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.

Stockwell, Margaux. “Riding with Death (1988): One of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Last Paintings.” Singulart Magazine, 12 Feb. 2020, www.singulart.com/en/blog/2020/02/12/riding-with-death-1988-one-of-jean-michel-basquiats-last-paintings/.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Orange Prince (1984).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Nov. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Prince_(1984).

Wikipedia Contributors. “Warrior (1982 Painting).” Wikipedia, 25 Apr. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrior_(1982_painting).

Metmuseum.org, 2021, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/484952.

VII - Early Modern

 

Into the Modern

Oil on Canvas - Fauvism

Landscape Near Antwerp (1906)

Georges Braque (1882-1963)

    While this painting may not be as easily comprehensible as other paintings in different styles, it is definitely a sight to behold. In this painting, I see a pond next to a hill, a high-ceiling sky with a far-out horizon, and even distant structures that could be part of a town. There is a plethora of color in this lovely depiction of a Belgium countryside, which is unnatural to its scene but beautiful in its display.

Fauvism (c.1905)

    Fauvism is a style of art developed in France by Les Fauves, an artist group predominantly known for its expressive subject matter, abstract depictions, and use of vibrant and unrealistic color.

Oil on Canvas - Cubism

Girl Before a Mirror (1932)

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973)

    This painting is much more focused on line and shape, though there is plenty of color to be appreciated here, too. Picasso found himself more attuned to painting in this style, depicting figures in a specific fashion and focusing more on simple shapes rather than complex structures. His compilations and organization of shapes and lines give form to his paintings and create defined subjects uniquely and abstractly. 

Cubism (c.1907)

    Cubism is a style of art considered to have been developed by both Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso, known for its abstract interpretations of objects and figures and its heavy use of simple shapes and angles.

Oil on Canvas - Futurism

Elasticità (1912)

Umberto Boccioni (1882-1916)

    I find this painting to be very... moving! It is gorgeous, and I think it perfectly represents the futurist style. A lot of lines and shapes go into creating a painting-in-motion. The scene of a rider on horseback, in a swift trot, passing an industrial plant almost jumps out at you. It almost looks 3 dimensional, especially with the shading. There is texture to the horse's hind legs and tail, and the smoke and clouds in the sky look as though they are curling in the winds.

Futurism (c.1909)

    Futurism is an art style of Italian development (Futurismo) in the Early Modern Era, and it emphasized dynamism, motion and speed, modern life experience, and the celebration of progress and change.

Oil on Canvas - Expressionism

The Yellow Cow (1911)

Franz Marc (1880-1916)

    The Yellow Cow, or Gelbe Kuh, seems to depict a merry cow bovine, leaping and kicking through a golden field near sunset. This painting reminds me of when I used to live on an organic Dairy Farm. The heifers would go gallivanting about their pasture when we'd drive through to spread the alfalfa hay for the day. They would leap and kick in a similar fashion. This painting has a very joyous and adventurous tone to it, as though the yellow cow were on a journey. The color and shade bring the setting sun to life, silhouetting the mountains and casting shadows across the landscape.

Expressionism (c.1905-1920)

    Expressionism is a style of art that found its way onto the canvases of artists across the world at the beginning of the 20th century. In expressionism, reality is distorted within the painting to capture and express the artist's introspections.

    The swift progression of painting styles through the short time that is the Early Modern Era really expresses how much change was happening in these times.

“Elasticità - Umberto Boccioni.” Google Arts & Culture, artsandculture.google.com/asset/elasticit%C3%A0-umberto-boccioni/vgFuugdx8YZ3GQ?hl=en.

Flam, Jack. “Landscape near Antwerp.” The Guggenheim Museums and Foundation, www.guggenheim.org/artwork/671.

MoMA. “Pablo Picasso. Girl before a Mirror. Paris, March 14, 1932 | MoMA.” The Museum of Modern Art, www.moma.org/collection/works/78311.

“Yellow Cow.” Guggenheim, 1911, www.guggenheim.org/artwork/2760.