Alison Jackson

Photography Appreciation

Alison Jackson, born on May 15, 1960, in Hampshire, England, initially pursued a career outside the arts. It wasn't until the age of 30 that she began exploring her passion for art, enrolling in night classes while working as a receptionist. This newfound interest led her to attend Chelsea College of Art and Design, where she earned a BA in Fine Arts (Sculpture) between 1993 and 1997. She furthered her education with an MA in Fine Art Photography from the Royal College of Art in London, graduating in 1999.

Jackson is renowned for her provocative exploration of celebrity culture, creating convincingly realistic photographs, films, and sculptures that depict celebrities in private moments using cleverly styled lookalikes. Her work challenges perceptions of reality and questions the authenticity of images in media, blurring the lines between truth and fabrication. 

Some of Jackson's most notable works include images of a Princess Diana lookalike with Dodi Al-Fayed and a mixed-race child, Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy in intimate settings, and satirical portrayals of Donald Trump in compromising situations. These works have been exhibited internationally in institutions such as the International Center of Photography in New York City and the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

Queen in the Loo in Regalia, 2016

Diana and Dodi

Trump Spray Tan

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.biennial.com/artists/alison-jackson

https://www.alisonjackson.com/about

https://www.candcgallery.com/artists/alison-jackson

https://www.xibtmagazine.com/2020/07/alison-jackson-beyond-the-truth 

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/09/artist-alison-jackson-donald-trump

https://www.euronews.com/2020/04/02/meet-alison-jackson-the-controversial-british-artist-with-celebrity-culture-in-her-sights

Trump's Center

In February, President Donald Trump executed a significant overhaul of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, by dismissing all 18 trustees appointed by former President Joe Biden and installed his own appointees, who subsequently elected Trump chairman of the board. 

Trump justifies changes by criticizing the Center's programming, especially those he considers "woke." The reorganization has also sparked controversy within the arts community. For instance, several cast members of "Les Misérables" have announced plans to boycott a June 11 performance at the Kennedy Center, protesting Trump's involvement. 

While conservatives might feel the Center is out of touch of American values and welcome changes as necessary in realigning its mission, critics argue that Trump's actions represent a politicization of the arts. This draws scary parallels to historical instances where authoritarian regimes exerted control over cultural institutions, e.g. Hitler's Nazi regime.  

RANDOM WEDNESDAY: Girl accidentally strips herself

 via BeKind

Louis Léopold Robert

Art Appreciation

Louis Léopold Robert was born on May 13, 1794, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel, Switzerland. At sixteen, he moved to Paris to apprentice under engraver Jean Girardet. While training, Robert also attended Jacques-Louis David's studio, where he developed his painting skills. 

The political changes of 1815, which restored Neuchâtel to Prussia, prevented him from competing for the prestigious Grand Prix due to his altered nationality. This setback led him to return to Switzerland before eventually relocating to Rome to pursue painting. ​

In Rome, Robert immersed himself in depicting Italian peasant life, focusing on the customs and attire of southern Italy. His works are characterized by detailed representations of everyday scenes, capturing the essence of Italian culture. 

He aimed to create a series representing the four seasons through Italian life: "The Return from the Fête of the Madonna dell'Arco" (Spring), "The Arrival of the Reapers in the Pontine Marshes" (Summer), and "The Departure of Fishermen from the Adriatic" (Winter). The autumn piece remained incomplete. ​

Among Robert's notable works is "Brigand and His Wife in Prayer" (1824), portraying a brigand couple praying before a roadside cross in central Italy. This painting reflects Robert's fascination with the brigante subculture and their piety despite their criminality. 

Another significant piece, "The Arrival of the Reapers in the Pontine Marshes" (1830), depicts laborers arriving for the harvest, capturing the vibrancy of Italian rural life. These works exemplify Robert's commitment to illustrating the dignity and traditions of Italian peasants. ​

Tragically, personal struggles, including an unrequited love for Princess Charlotte Napoléon Bonaparte, led Robert to take his own life on March 20, 1835, in Venice. 

Brigand and his wife in prayer, 1824

The Arrival of the Reapers in the Pontine Marshes, 1831

Portrait of Charlotte Bonaparte, 1830

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/plan-your-visit/exhibitions/true-to-nature-open-air-painting-in-europe-1780-1870/artists/louis-leopold-robert

https://www.fondationcustodia.fr/92-Louis-Leopold-Robert-1532

https://arthive.com/artists/94288~Louis_Lopold_Robert/works/649423~Portrait_of_Charlotte_Bonaparte

Joachim von Sandrart

Art Appreciation

Joachim von Sandrart was born on May 12, 1606, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, into a family of Protestant merchants. From a young age, he displayed artistic talent, prompting his early training under Dutch engraver Aegidius Sadeler in Prague. 

His formative years were shaped by travel and exposure to various artistic centers in Europe, including Italy, where he studied the works of Caravaggio and the Venetian masters. These experiences broadened his perspective and laid the foundation for a cosmopolitan artistic identity.

As a painter, Sandrart embraced the Baroque style, known for its drama, movement, and attention to detail. His technique demonstrated a blend of German precision and Italian influence, particularly in his use of light and composition. Sandrart favored historical, mythological, and religious subjects, often depicting grand scenes with multiple figures and elaborate settings. 

He was also deeply involved in the art theory of his time, publishing Teutsche Academie, one of the earliest art history texts in German, which reflected his scholarly interest in documenting artistic achievement.

Among Sandrart’s notable works is "Peace-Banquet" (1649), which commemorated the Peace of Westphalia. "Peace-Banquet" is particularly celebrated for its historical importance and intricate composition, capturing a defining moment in European politics.

Self-portrait, 1641

The Peace Banquet, 1649

Trinity, 1671

Sources:

Wikipedia

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/person/103KQ9

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joachim-von-Sandrart

https://research.rkd.nl/en/detail/https%3A%2F%2Fdata.rkd.nl%2Fartists%2F69604

https://www.nuremberg.museum/projects/show/1134-the-peace-banquet-the-great-hall-of-the-nuremberg-town-hall-on-25-9-1649

When a Delivery Becomes a Danger Zone

Pardon the Interruption

I recently watched a disturbing video on X (formerly Twitter): a man walked out of his house, gun in hand, and opened fire on a car parked in the road. According to the post, the driver was a DoorDash worker who had simply gotten lost. The man firing the gun? Chester Highway Superintendent John J. Reilly III.

A few hours later, the same video began circulating again—this time with a different spin. Commenters speculated about Reilly’s political beliefs, debating whether he was a MAGA supporter. Honestly, I couldn’t care less about his politics. What shook me was something more personal: my daughter is a DoorDash driver.

She delivers food while attending university, just trying to make ends meet. A few months ago, she was bitten by dogs during a delivery. They charged at her from the very house she was delivering to. She was terrified. Thankfully, her girlfriend was with her and rushed her to a clinic. She’s okay now, but it rattled us.

These delivery workers are not just strangers dropping off food. They’re someone’s child, partner, or parent. They’re trying to earn a living—often alone, often at odd hours. What happened to that 24-year-old driver could happen to any of them. My heart goes out to him and his family. 

DANCE: J.Fla - Let Me Down Slowly

Choreography: Vicki Venus

via Vicki Venus (Pole Dancer)