Wednesday 13 September 2017

Julie Mehretu



I love this work, I love the scale, and I love the process.

I feel as if I have a tiny something in common with Ms Mehretu; the calligraphic quality of her work is something I understand, although in my own case I work on a very different scale. It's a tad like speaking the same language. Her painting above measures 27 by 32 feet.

Ms Mehretu is an American of Ethiopian origin. This painting, that she is seen working on above, is one of two that are apparently the worlds largest. I think they're entitled HOWL, eon (1 and 2).

If you happen to be in San Francisco, you can now see both works at the Museum of Modern Art. Otherwise you could consult Google Images; an example below.

                           Résultat de recherche d'images pour "julie mehretu"


28 comments:

  1. Most unusual. If You love it then there is something artistic there but for me it's an un-howl-y scribble.
    I need appreciation lessons

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    Replies
    1. I know it looks like scribble, and I was expecting comments as such. I think she's a 'painter's painter', probably only really appreciated by those of us who spent years at college learning to scribble!

      Delete
  2. I saw her work at the documenta in 2012. I am visiting the documenta every year , living in Germany it's easy to head for Kassel. I love Mehretu's work , if you go close you see how precise the "scribbling" is and if you take distance you get another view..I should have never imagined that you love those paintings, you appear so conservative to me.

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    Replies
    1. Her work IS conservative; oil paint on canvas, very old fashioned!

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  3. Yes oil paint on canevas, what is conservative about that ?

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    Replies
    1. Visit the Venice Biennale, and you will see what I mean. Hardly any paint on canvas anywhere; it's regarded as old fashioned (by the avant garde).

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    2. I went already severaltet times to the Venice Biennale,got a flat there, I do not argue with you but keep my opinion ,I knew some 'avant gardiste' painters using oil paint and canevas. Maybe you speak about the English painters school.

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  4. I would love one of her paintings on an entire wall in my home; I doubt it would fit though!
    Greetings Maria x

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    Replies
    1. Me too, especially the one she's seen working on. One would have to build a house around it.

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    2. you could try scribbling it on yourself Maria, or you could get the local playgroup round for an afternoon of fun with some paint!

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  5. It's huge! But where is Sister Wendy when you need her to explain.

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    Replies
    1. I don't think it really needs 'explaining', it is simply an object of beauty (to many of us).

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  6. Looks like she stole one of my Tour drawings in the top right.

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    Replies
    1. A bit like one of my landscapes too. She's been looking at our pages!

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  7. There was some beautiful art on The One Show last night. A young lady of 16, who has Cerebral Palsy does the most wonderful work. Her name is Tjili and to see the struggle she has to draw and colour makes it even more amazing ! Do have a look.

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    Replies
    1. I just had a look. Her parents seem to be doing a good job of 'commercialising' her.

      Good to see someone with such severe disabilities doing so well.

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  8. Replies
    1. I'd love to have the courage to work on that scale. Monumental!

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  9. It's ok, but I don't think it would work in my living room.

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  10. When looking at art, we all see something different.

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  11. What a fascinating piece. I would love to see HOW she paints those huge pieces. Does she step off the man life from time to time and look at it as a whole? Or rather just concentrate on the area in front of her? I wonder the same regarding poets who write poems that are pages long. I am impressed by the concentration level of both types of artists.

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    1. The thing she's standing on looks as if it goes up and down and from side to side, but the important thing would be to stand back from it. Maybe she has to get down every time and walk backwards. Someone needs to design a new 'Artist's Trolley'.

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  12. So wonderful.
    I would love to hear what 10 different people think about what "they" see in her paintings.

    cheers, parsnip

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  13. I do happen to be in SF. Thanks for the MOMA tip! It would be best to see these large scale works up close and in person.

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  14. I don't get it at all. A touch of the Emperor's New Clothes I think...

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  15. This is a really good idea that you have going on. manufacturing
    หนังเกาหลี

    ReplyDelete

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