Tuesday, April 5, 2011

JENNY SAVILLE BOOK


I got a new book.

I am intrigued by British artist, Jenny Saville's work.  Her figures, so big and fat in every sense of the word, makes a statement about a woman's sense of herself and her body; plastic surgery madness; and perhaps our very society that values thin and pretty and wants it so much.  All of her big mama figures are here; plus some other odds and ends of how she researches her work (clips from magazines and newspapers about plastic surgery, weight loss, etc.). 

While the book is mostly big full color prints, there are articles about Saville written by the following:



Saville's art makes me think:  As artists, are we supposed to/expected to comment on what goes on around us?  Should we make statements with our art?  Or is it enough to add something of beauty to a sometimes ugly world?  I love looking at something beautiful.  But I also love looking at something that brings an issue right smack into my face.  Maybe there's room for both and you have to follow your own path...

And perhaps if you want your work shown, you have to produce what is acceptable in your area.  I can't imagine doing something this bold and trying to show it here - it wouldn't get in!  I'm not in New York or Chicago.  I'm in a region that is very conservative and you would be surprised at how many people will not go to a gallery that shows nudes.

Just some thoughts while going through the paintings in this big, beautiful book. 

7 comments:

hw (hallie) farber said...

So you paint nude peeps? I'm drawn to Saville's work--and Lucian Freud's and Francis Bacon's.

Carol Blackburn said...

Very interesting, Rhonda...I will have to check her out.

RH Carpenter said...

Well, they don't look like they have clothes on to me, Hallie! ha ha Or did you mean I paint peeps in the nude? ha ha Lucian Freud's work I admire, too, but Bacon scares me!

hw (hallie) farber said...

I just meant that "The Two of Us" could have been two reclining nudes--if you lived in NY.

I have several Bacon books--his work doesn't scare me. What's scary is that his images feel familiar.

RH Carpenter said...

Hallie, I was just teasing you! ha ha

Carol, she does some very powerful stuff - check her out online.

Sadami said...

Dear Rhonda,
Thank you for sharing the info.
I admire you. You're a so hard worker who always studies about art.
Best regards, Flying Pig, not a Fox in Sydney--Hahaha!

RH Carpenter said...

Sadami, you give me more credit than I deserve, dear heart, but I'll accept the compliment :) I do try to work and learn but sometimes I think I just read and watch and don't move forward - until I see my first watercolors and see how horrid they were. I'm at least better than that now! ha ha