Artist of the Week: Saul Leiter

Sign Painter, 1954

Saul Leiter was an American photographer who was associated the New York School. I am a huge fan of his work as well as his other peers from this time in the art world. Although I am a fan of his early works from the 1940s and 1950s, I am most interested in his color photographs from the late 1950s and 60s. He shows his viewers how to see beauty from a different perspective - not in the sense of Diane Arbus but in the sense that one can find beauty even on what some would find a daily activity or even just an "ugly" day. He draws the eye of the viewer into his work by focusing on subjects that seem so simple, mundane and ugly but at the same time are so beautiful. This beauty if emphasized by the way Leiter presents his subjects and is key to his artwork. A great example of this are the two following photos:

Snow, 1960

Through Boards, 1957

I find Saul's work to be painterly like and his work often brings a smile to my face. He initially became famous for his black and whites in the 1940s and early 1950s and thus here is an example.

Joanna, 1947

You can find several great monographs on Saul Leiter's work at www.amazon.com.

Artist of the Week: Bae Joon Sung

The Costume of a Painter, 2008

I was first introduced to Bae Joon Sung's work when I saw him in an exhibit during a trip to Seoul, Korea in December of 2008. I was reminded of him recently when I visited the Saatchi Gallery in London last month. His work is very interesting. Although you cannot see it in the above photo, the images of people in this photo are actually holograms, so as you walk by the painting the individuals in this painting go from clothed to naked, or clothed in one outfit to another outfit. I find his use of holograms to be genius and very entertaining. The holograms add depth to his otherwise somewhat 2 dimensional paintings and increases the level of excitement associated with his work. I am sad to say there is not much information on Bae Joon Sung on the internet but you can find his work and of many other talented Korean artists in this book that gives great incite into modern day Korean art.

The Costume of a Painter, 2008

In the above image, you can kind of get the feeling of how Bae Joon Sung's holograms work.

The Costume of a Painter, 2006

Artist of the Week: Gerhard Richter

Heiner Friedrich, 1970

Gerhard Richter makes me smile. This German artist is a primary example of why I chose to study art history. He combines two of my great artistic passions: photography and painting, in many of his works. He is most famous for his over-painted photographs as well as his abstract paintings. I recently visited the Tate Modern and was overwhelmed with joy when I entered a room entirely full of Gerhard Richter paintings. His paintings may seem "typical" but in person they really move you. You feel the artist's motives and you truly are able to spend a great length of time taking in his paintings. You can find out more about Gerhard Richter here.

Cage 6, 2006

18.4.93, 1993

Sänger/Singer, 1965

Artist of the Week: Ryan McGinness

No Sin/No Future, 2008

This week I chose to go with someone who I have been watching for the past couple years: Ryan McGinness. I feel that he has definitely blown up and I really admire him for his work. He has several books out. His latest Ryan McGinness Works: Paintings, Sculptures, Sketches, Drawings, Installations, Editions and Other Stuff, has definitely been my favorite so far, can be bought here. I find his work to be somewhat like a nouveau pop art. His overlapping images and designs are precisely placed and I thoroughly enjoy his use of color. In contrast to the the intricate works he also has done simplistic pop art as well.

Inhaler, 1999

Untitled (Sculpture Study 5), 2009

Andreas Gursky - Artist of the Week

Andreas Gursky - May Day V - 2006

After viewing the Andreas Gursky Exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery a few weeks ago, I came to the decision to make him this week's Artist of the Week. I am absolutely smitten with his work! Please note his works are a MILLION times better in person. I feel that his artwork is somewhat of an experience in the sense that you are engulfed and overwhelmed by his art. Andreas Gursky - Kamiokande - 2007

Andreas Gursky - Chicago Board of Trade - 1999



Andreas Gursky - Copan - 2002

Here are a few links on Andreas Gursky:

http://www.artnet.com/artist/7580/andreas-gursky.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Gursky