April 30th 2013

Today I'm going to post a few more photos of some of my favourite work from the Art Institute.  There happened to be a Picasso exhibit up during my visit, and the second- and third-last photos are of some of his lesser-known work that I really enjoyed.

Piet Mondrian, Farm near Duivendrecht, c. 1916


One of the most beautiful signatures, Le Corbusier, (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret)

 John Singer Sargent, Study from Life, 1891

Walter Elmer Schofield, The Powerhouse, Falls Village, Connecticut, c.1914

Pablo Picasso, Study of Dancers

Pablo Picasso, Lithograph of Dove, 1969

Porcelain Medicinal Vessels, Delft

April 29th 2013

The Art Institute of Chicago from the Nichols Bridgeway

One of my favourite parts of my past trip to Chicago was a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. I had an idea that it would be something I'd look forward to, but I wasn't quite prepared for how incredible it would be.  I always enjoy visiting galleries and museums, but this is possibly the best I've ever visited.  (I took so many photos, I may have to split this post into two or three parts).


Proposed Street Map of Chicago, 1909


Roman Bouroullec, ERB S06, 1971

The view from the Modern Art wing


Though I may risk being scoffed at, I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for David Hockney's paintings, (especially his water series).  His 'A Bigger Splash' was a favourite painting of mine growing up.  This is a detail from 'American Collectors (Fred and Marcia Weisman)', 1968

This installation was an emotional one to view in person.  I was approached by the friendly gallery attendant I'd met in a previous section of the gallery and told to take a piece of the candy.  I thought he was joking, but he insisted.  He then pointed out the placard off to the side, which read:

Felix Gonzalez-Torres
American, born Cuba, 1957-1996

"Untitled" (Portrait of Ross in L.A.),
1991
Candies, individually wrapped in multicolored cellophane

This installation is an allegorical portrait of the artist's
partner, Ross Laycock, who died of an AIDS-related
illness in 1991.  The 175 pounds of candy correspond
to Ross's ideal body weight.  Adult viewers are invited
to take a piece of candy; the diminishing pile parallels
Ross's weight loss prior to his death.  The artist stipulated
that the pile should be continually replaced,
metaphorically granting perpetual life.

I'll continue with more photos in a post tomorrow.

April 22nd 2013

Tomorrow I'll be heading off for the rest of the week.  I'm taking a trip to Chicago, partially for a little break away, but also to visit a few of galleries and museums.  I've been wanting to visit the Art Institute of Chicago for some time, as well as the Museum of Contemporary Art.  I'm looking forward to sharing a few stories and photos from the trip when I get back.

In the meantime I wanted to post something that I finished a little while back.

A friend had approached me to paint a family tree for his mother's upcoming birthday.  He had some wonderful ideas for it, and it was a pleasure to paint.  He wanted some imagery that showed hints at the family's heritage and some Canadiana included.