Art has become very fashionable. If you have any doubt, check out the December issue of Vanity Fair which includes a “Special Report on Art” or last Sunday’s New York Time Style magazine which devotes most of the issue to the intersection of fashion and the art world.
Most of the press coverage these days is about who spent how much on what piece of art, the glittering parties attended by all the right celebrities in all the right art spots but very little about the art itself.
No matter how fashionable, art is ultimately about the the artist and the viewer - a silent communication between two individuals, each on either side of the canvas. These exchanges don’t take place in a loud swirl of party goers but in the quiet contemplation of the artist’s work.
All of this came to mind as I was completing production on a new video interview with painter Lance Green. Lance has devoted his life to his art and I imagine that the art party circuit is the last thing he thinks about as he approaches a new painting.
In the video Lance talks about his life, from his childhood on the mean streets of East L.A. to working in his studio today in a lush forest in Colorado. He also discusses his working process and the things that inspire him to paint. For those who care to look carefully, Lance’s paintings are like a road map of his life. Within the brush strokes you see the elements of his life’s journey depicted in paint. The swirling colors, the solid forms of his figures, the lyrical interplay of life and the life of the spirit depicted on the canvas are a form of autobiography.
When the life experiences and sensibilities of a viewer converge with the artist’s, a silent conversation takes place. This moment transcends any current trend or the culture’s acceptance of art as the “in thing”. This act of communication - one to one - is a major reason the first artists painted on cave walls and that artists will continue to make art whether or not it makes headlines or is popular with the “right” crowd.
To see Lance Green’s interview go to: DNTV
4 responses so far ↓
Kelley Burrus // January 4, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Loved the Lance Green interview. The last quote is a perfect reminder for the new year!
“Be orderly and regular in your day so you may be violent and original in your work.” (author unknown).
Pat Yorke // January 10, 2008 at 9:56 am
Thank you for thr great interview!!! Lance is such a unique artist. I am the proud owner of one of his “Women” paintings. I have watched him painting in his studio in Colorado. He is a master with a brush and canvas. Watching Lance as he begins a painting is such a kick as he takes color with real emotion and really gets into his subject and he comes out with a beautiful woman of character and intrigue that touches your heart. I too thought your Quote was perfect.
deloneynewkirkgalleries // January 10, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Thanks for the feedback Kelley and Pat. We are getting tons of great comments on Lance’s video. We are planning to do more interviews with our artists, both on video and in print, during this year.
If you haven’t seen it yet check out the Jeff Cochran interview I posted on January 5th.
Kate Dardine // March 3, 2008 at 2:13 pm
This interview with Lance brought tears to my eyes - I think this is the first time I have heard another artist express how I feel when I am painting.
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