ART AFICIONADO

Friday, February 2, 2024

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Jamaal Barber, born in 1980 in Virginia and raised in Littleton, North Carolina, discovered his passion for art at a young age, inspired by the captivating illustrations in children's books and comics. This early fascination led him to create his own images on various materials, including the back of textbooks. It wasn't until high school, after learning about the life and legacy of artist Romare Bearden, that Barber decided to pursue a career as an artist.

He earned a BA in Communication Arts from East Carolina University and an MFA in Printmaking from Georgia State University. In 2013, Barber shifted his focus to printmaking after being introduced to screen printing, though he also engages in painting, collages, and ink wash drawings.

His fine art is displayed at the ZuCot Gallery and has been featured in various exhibitions, including the Decatur Arts Festival and the Atlanta Print Biennial Show. Notably, his work delves into themes of black identity, American social structures, and propagandistic imagery. Barber's artistic reach extends beyond exhibitions, as he has contributed to projects for notable institutions such as Black Art in America, Emory University, The New York Times 1619 Project, and Twitter. Additionally, he co-hosts the Studio Noize Podcast, dedicated to spotlighting artists and creators of the diaspora.

To Be Free (2018)

Where Angels Go (2022)

Something Wonderful IV

Sources:

https://www.jbarberstudio.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jbarberstudio/

https://www.davidsongalleries.com/collections/jamaal-barber

https://adamatl.org/global-artist-spotlight/Blog%20Post%20Title%20One-y4lke

https://bluespiral1.com/artwork/27401-something-wonderful-iv?artistsid=1115

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Krull (1983)

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Amrita Sher-Gil

Art Appreciation

Amrita Sher-Gil, born on January 30, 1913, in Budapest, was a distinguished Hungarian-Indian painter and recognized as one of the foremost avant-garde women artists of the early 20th century.

Although initially from Hungary, her family relocated to Summer Hill, Shimla, India, in 1921. Amrita commenced formal painting lessons at the age of eight. At 11, she accompanied her mother to Florence, Italy, where she attended an art school, immersing herself in the works of Italian masters before returning to India.

In 1926, her uncle, the painter and Indologist Ervin Baktay, recognized her artistic prowess and became a pivotal advocate and supporter. Amrita, at 16, traveled to Paris with her mother to undergo painting training in Europe. She initially studied at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière under Pierre Vaillent and Lucien Simon, later progressing to the École des Beaux-Arts. Drawing inspiration from post-impressionist artists like Cézanne, Gauguin, and Modigliani, she immersed herself in the Bohemian circles of Paris in the early 1930s.

At 19, Amrita gained acclaim for her 1932 oil painting, "Young Girls," earning a gold medal and being elected as an Associate of the Grand Salon in Paris in 1933.

Her paintings seamlessly blended Western and Eastern artistic elements, fusing techniques learned in Europe with traditional Indian art styles and themes. Amrita's diverse body of work included self-portraits, Parisian life scenes, nude studies, still life, and portraits.

Days before the opening of her first major solo exhibition in Lahore, Amrita fell seriously ill, slipping into a coma and passing away on December 5, 1941. Despite her short time in the art world, her legacy persists. She is celebrated as a trailblazer who bridged the gap between Western and Indian art. Today, her paintings are revered for their emotional depth, cultural significance, and timeless beauty, captivating art enthusiasts worldwide.