Classic Artist of the Week #3 - Constantin Brâncusi

Constantin Brâncuși was a Romanian-born French sculptor from the beginning of the XX century. He showed extraordinary talent from his youth - which he utilized during his studies at École des Beaux-Arts and training under Rodin (which lasted only two months because "nothing can grow under big trees" as Constantin said). Then - the first commission. Already showing simplification of the form - which later had to lead to pure abstraction - then, an innovation in sculpture.

That symbolic novelty earned Brâncuși name of the pioneer of modernism - and later on, one of the most significant artist in art history. But fame did not come that early - or at least positive fame. Parisians were scandalized after in 1920 he represented princess Marie Bonaparte as a shape best described as... phallic. True that, she was obsessed with that shape, but anyway... 

When looking at his work, keep in mind this quote, by artist himself: "Don’t look for mysteries; I bring you pure joy."

 

 And at last, the infamous "Princess X"

 

 

Drew Etienne - paintings

Drew Etienne's works revolve around contemporary human condition - around lost, lonely, misguided people who in order to follow meaningless objects forget what really matters. Slightly surreal, semi-abstract, the canvases are dreamy yet powerful.

Source: http://drewetienne.com/

Weekly Interview #4 - Hannah Ward

Tell us about yourself and your work.

My artwork explores the fragility of the physical body and the ease with which it can be transformed. I am interested in the fusion of the grotesque and the beautiful. I work with a large range of media and my imagery is, in one way or another, derived from local woodland animals. I was raised in the country with a great appreciation of nature. My works reference childhood memories, dream imagery, taxidermy practices and their parallels to human conditions and relationships

What got you started? What keeps you in?
I’ve always been involved with both the visual and performing arts and struggled with trying to formulate a career in them. I was interested in pursuing scientific and medical illustration for a long time, which still has a great impact on my imagery and source materials. Eventually, producing art no longer consisted of tasks or projects and became a very natural drive. Art has become a ritual for me, a way to sort out my fixations. It is how I manage to process everything I experience outside of the studio.

What/who inspires you? In what way?
I am inspired by my surroundings, conversations, the people I care for, film, words, anxieties, and
moments that I find confusing or overwhelming. I have a need to reconfigure and process why these
things are meaningful. I am also interested in the need to salvage the sensations I experience…in the need to literally create something new from what has been broken.

What is art for you? Examples of "real art"?
Art is my vocabulary, my relief, and my obsession. I think art is a documentation of the visceral.

The most powerful/your favourite medium: picture, words, sounds? Anything else?

Visual arts play the most important role in my life, but they are fueled greatly by music, language, and all of my senses. I think it’s important to allow these things to overlap.

Plans for future (of your work)?

Right now, I just want to push myself past my limits. I want to refine and expand upon my visual
language. I’m also working towards further expanding my range of media and experimenting with more sculptural forms.

Website: www. Hannahwardstudio.com
Tumblr: Hannahwardart.tumblr.com

Agnes Toth - painting

Agnes Toth, a Hungarian-British painter creates works of art about people. Through realistic representation she seeks to embrace conversations between the characters and the painting and the viewer. Or at least it's how I see. You can read her statement on the website - and I encourage you to (as always).

Source: http://www.agnestoth.eu/

Ian Berry - Denimu

Most people enjoy wearing clothes. Some don't. And a few of them, including a British artist Ian Berry enjoy cutting them and creating pictures with them. Grown from a childhood memory his passion for jeans clothing has grown into his personal project - Denimu. Take a look at those original pieces.

Source: http://denimu.com/index.htm

Kiwilicious Jewelry #3 - Twinklebird

Behind Twinklebird's name there is Christine Kallen-de Boer, art teacher, who creates delicate and feminine jewelry from gold and silver of high standard.
Warm days and evenings - soon we'll be able to greet summer, lying on grass and staring at the great celestial performance. At that time of the night, especially charming with streams of stars in warm air. That turned out to be a great inspiration for her necklace Ursa Major.


Source: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Twinklebird?page=1

Thomas Beale

It's been a while sine we've featured a sculptor. Now I want to make up for that with incredible works of New York-based Thomas Beale. Young artist and founder of the Honey Space (seriously, check it out) creates great (in size and artisticvalue) objects out of reclaimed wood.

Source: http://tbeale.com/