Abstract Art-Marquez

 Clyfford Still

"PH-160" 

Oil on canvas 

1957
"Color is an integral part of the conception. The works are conceived in color and do not exist amply with out it. Each picture tales on the color is demands."

 1) How would you describe the image/ object being presented? What movement/ aesthetic is this work (or artist) most  closely associated with? What/when/where is (was) this movement in a nut-shell?
This image shows a blossoming of blue somethings on a white plain. Clyfford Still was associated with the abstract expressionist movement which focused more on the act of painting rather than the image's content of it.

2) What are the tools/ materials being used? Are these the most effective use of these items? Is this piece strongly built/ composed FORMALLY?
The paint used to create this image uses very expressive brush work and is strong in that it conveys the emotional or mental state of the artist. This is effective because of the nature of the abstract expressionist movement which focused on the act of painting as expression. The strongest aspect of this painting is the activation of the edge of the canvas. the blue blobs go off the edge and make for a strong and interesting image.

3) What is your response to this piece? Is it narrative/ non-narrative--EXPLAIN!!
I feel a strangeness from this piece. Typically I find blue to be a pleasant color to look at but this hue of blue gives off a toxic vibe that makes it seem unsettling. This feeling is strengthened because the narrative I see when I look at this image I see the outlines of blooming flowers.

4) Is there an artist's statement/ explanation for the work? Do you agree with/ understand the artist's intent? Was this your original read?
I agree with the artist's statement. I feel that this painting would not be the same without the sickly blue color. The whole image depends upon the blue otherwise it wouldn't have as much life and visual interest.

5) What constructive criticism could you give to improve/ strengthen the piece?
More painterly brushwork. 

 Georgia O'Keefe
"The Black Iris"
1926

7x9in Oil on canvas.

 1) How would you describe the image/ object being presented? What movement/ aesthetic is this work (or artist) most  closely associated with? What/when/where is (was) this movement in a nut-shell?
Going off the title of the piece it would be safe to say that the image is an abstracted version of a "Black Iris". This artist is most closely associated with the American Modernist movement which surrounded the idea of human progression and manipulation of the environment to benefit human kind.

2) What are the tools/ materials being used? Are these the most effective use of these items? Is this piece strongly built/ composed FORMALLY?
Oils on canvas were used to paint this image and the nature of oil paint was effective in getting the smooth blends between colors in this image. The composition of this image is strong, the slightly off center vertical division of the image makes for an interesting element as well as the red half circle.
3) What is your response to this piece? Is it narrative/ non-narrative--EXPLAIN!!
This piece has a sinister feeling that emanates from it. The red half circle looks like an angry eye staring at the viewing while at the same time the frilly linear elements soften the image. A narrative for this image could be associated with being watched or being up close and personal with a bird of prey.

4) Is there an artist's statement/ explanation for the work? Do you agree with/ understand the artist's intent? Was this your original read? I couldn't find anything that pertains to this work specifically but this quote from O'Keeffe can be applied to it.

"From experiences fo one kind or another, shapes and color come to me very clearly-Somtimes I start in very realistic fashion and as I go on from one painting after another of the same things it becomes simplified til it can be nothing but abstract-but for me it is my reason for painting I suppose" -Georgia O'Keeffe, 1957

I can definitely see how her practice relates to this painting. I can see how at one time this piece could have looked like an iris and evolved away from realism to abstraction through the painting process.

5) What constructive criticism could you give to improve/ strengthen the piece?
It's perfect, don't mess with Georgia. 

    

Kim, Ik Mo
Untitled 7804, Paint on canvas, 1000x700 cm.
2007 

1) How would you describe the image/ object being presented? What movement/ aesthetic is this work (or artist) most  closely associated with? What/when/where is (was) this movement in a nut-shell?

A patchwork of brush strokes. This artist is contemporary/modern which really doesn't have a solid definition based on Google searches.

2) What are the tools/ materials being used? Are these the most effective use of these items? Is this piece strongly built/ composed FORMALLY?

Brushwork is prominent in this piece as is the materiality of the paint. Each brush stroke is obvious and intentional and the liquid quality of the paint is used to add to the image in the form of drips and smears.

3) What is your response to this piece? Is it narrative/ non-narrative--EXPLAIN!!

This image is playful. It look to me like the artist is putting paint on the canvas as a catharsis or in a playful manner. This painting reads largely as non-narrative how ever it doesn't seem like a far stretch to say that it can be water crashing onto rocks or something similar.

4) Is there an artist's statement/ explanation for the work? Do you agree with/ understand the artist's intent? Was this your original read? The artist has a background in printmaking and a curator on Google Art Project said this series of paintings was the artist's divergence from the strict processes of printmaking. I can definitely see that. Print making has a very specific set of steps that must be followed in order to get a certain result. This painting is a mish mash of different painting techniques and looks to be a release of tension. However some of the brushstrokes and color fields look very similar to the way printing ink is rolled onto a surface with a brayer.

5) What constructive criticism could you give to improve/ strengthen the piece?

 bigger brush marks.