The humble Strigiform rendered here is a wonderful twenty first century take on the owl’s storied role in art history. As far back as Ancient Greece, with Athena’s feathered companion carved in marble, owls have been a symbol of wisdom and virtue. This owl, captured here in a traditional contrapposto pose looks on wisely from his moon bathed perch. Backed by the calm clear night sky the viewer is reminded that it is important to pause, assess, and then act. For, as the adage goes, 'wisdom lives inside all who are quiet enough to listen for it" The artist here chooses to combine sharp geometric blocks of color with softer, more organic line work. Is the artist suggesting that, perhaps, that wisdom also come from play and not just rigid analysis? I suspect if we could ask could ask our feathered friend their opinion on all of this, their response would be “who?”
Posted 2 years ago by Uncle Den
What can you say about this piece that it hasn't already said better itself? A familiar statuesque silhouette casts its gaze over the vast fields that are his charge. The fields, now bare, have been harvested, bundled, sold. He remains. There is a chill is in the this morning, the final leaves have fallen overnight. The autumn sunrise reminds the viewer of the changing seasons, and perhaps, of their own personal seasons? We must ask ourselves, are we welcoming the change stoically like the scarecrow? Strong, Unwavering.... Or are we the bird? Moving with the seasons of change. Welcoming the change as a move to warmer, brighter futures? The artist's inscription, so prominently placed, shows the artist's strong confidence in his work.
Posted 3 years ago by Uncle Den
The fiber cord bound around the subject combined with the color pallet asks the viewer to explore what is constricting them in their daily life. Much in the way that the subjects tail and eyes are brightly colored, juxtaposed against the darker greens of the body, viewers are challenged to take time to admire their own bright moments. Must we go against the flow in order to achieve our goals, as fish swimming up steam do? Do we float among the seaweed, or do we spread our fins to explore waters? Maybe we aren’t so dissimilar from our aquatic friends after all.
Posted 3 years ago by Uncle Den
A perfect encapsulation of natures transition from spring to summer! Bravo!
Posted 3 years ago by Uncle Den
Another Triumph!
Posted 4 years ago by Uncle Den
Looks great! The tension mounting between the colorful abstract rainbow background and the black and white central figure really speaks to the human condition.
