Painting

martin

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Yonks ago - late '90s? - I went to the Tate with a girlfriend. It was her idea. We were looking at YBA shit like Sarah Lucas' "Sod You Gits" and I was taking the piss out of the descriptions while she pouted and told me I was closed-minded. I didn't care, I'm not a big fan of galleries - I find them a bit depressing - and wanted to get the hell out of there because it was a nice sunny day.

Eventually, she agreed I was a philistine, so we were heading for the exit...and ran into Leonor Fini's "Little Hermit Sphinx". It blew me away; I was sucked into it; it was like I'd left the gallery light years behind and the painting was alive. I can't really explain why I'm obsessed with it; I'm sure some will just think it's ugly or murky. My g/f did a complete 180 and started tutting and complaining about 'pretentious crap', but I was barely listening - I was mesmerised and didn't want to leave. Anyway, it's the only painting that's ever had that effect on me.

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Apparently Fini once swore at Picasso and slagged off his art, which makes her cool in my book.
 

catalog

Well-known member
good painting, unusual colours and managing to create the depth with all that darkness. that thing hanging from the ceiling, what is that?
 

martin

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I thought it was some sort of bird she'd skinned and was hanging out to cure. But, knowing the surrealists, could have cervical connotations, I guess?
 

catalog

Well-known member
I normally don't like paintings that strive to be photographic but these are quite good, spesh the last one cos he's doing something weird with the empty space
 

droid

Well-known member
Peter Howson

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catalog

Well-known member
yeah i can too. the contorted body shapes are sort of reminiscent of diego rivera or even wyndham lewis, those weird body shapes. i find the colours very unsettling.
 
It's sagat from street fighter!

Those mosh pit ones are stunning. On a level I fucking hate mosh pis and everyone who participates, on another level they're fascinating
 

catalog

Well-known member
guido reni hippomenes.

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you can't beat a broken man on a cross but i like all the ones inspired by greek and roman myths as well
 
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