The title of this exhibition was The Likeness of Being by Philip Burke which is currently being shown at the Burchfield Penny Art Center. Philip Burke is an artist who creates portraits of publications found around the world from Rolling Stone to Vanity Fair. The portraits are colorful, warped, and part caricature. The soul of the subject is captured in each of the portraits, giving the viewer a full understanding of the subject. I think the theme of the exhibit is to express the true character of icons we see in everyday life.
The Gallery
The lighting in the gallery is very bright. There are a lot of windows which was letting in bright, natural light. The portraits are done on large canvases which are hung all along the length of the walls. Every small wall is painted with bright colors, some displaying quotes from icons that were painted. I didn't see much use of materials being used in the interior architecture besides the walls where the pictures were hung. The movement of the viewer through the gallery space is very random. Since there are so many colorful portraits it's easy to wander about and go back to a previous one to look again.
The Artwork
The artworks are organized in a very clean but expressive manner. The pieces are all very colorful so they don't need a crazy display, they speak for themselves. The artworks are similar in the sense that they are all portraits, but they differ greatly. The subject of the portrait varies as well as the vibe each portrait gives off. The artist emphasizes their personality, therefore each one is different. The artworks are not framed but hung just as canvases on the walls with a small label next to them, leaving about a foot or less in between each piece.
Art Criticism
Audrey Hepburn, 2003
Oil on Canvas
Unpublished
This painting is a colorful portrait of Audrey Hepburn. To me, she is a woman who can carry herself well and possesses a lot of poise which is expressed in her portrait. Using a variety of colors, the artist paints a side profile of Hepburn. One side of her face seems to be painted using regular flesh tones, while the other side is splashed with yellow, green, blue and red. Her neck is elongated and her facial features are emphasized. The artist uses emphasis, color and proportion in this piece. This portrait is a symbol of class and poise that many women of Hepburn' generation had. I think the artist was trying to reflect this in this piece. Audrey's features are over exaggerated to draw attention to the parts of her that make her who she is.
Prince, 1993
Oil on Canvas
Rolling Stone
In this portrait, it is done of Prince. Compared to Audrey Hepburn's portrait, this on is a little closer. Many colors are used to emphasize his facial features and expressive eyes. The portrait has a white background rather than a color like Audrey's. The artist again uses color, proportion and emphasis. In a way balance is used as well. Prince is a musical icon who gives off a very unique aura, and this portrait completely embodies that. The artist's intention was to show the viewer a unique, personal side of the subject. Rather than a regular photograph, the portrait is expressive and somewhat cartoon like.
Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, 2008
Oil on Canvas
Vanity Fair- Germany
I love the Rolling Stones so this was one of my favorite painting in the exhibit. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger are such amazing musical icons that completely embody rock and roll. You can definitely feel that vibe from this painting and well as their laid back attitudes. Unlike most of the other portraits in the exhibit, this one has two subjects rather than one. Mick is painted in the foreground while Keith is in the background. The artist uses color, emphasis and balance in this piece of the two subjects. The artist once again emphasizes their features by making Mick's head and lips the focal point of his portrait, and emphasizing Keith's smile and ears. Both of the men have their hands in their pockets which also gives off a laid back vibe. I feel that the artist was trying to take what he thinks makes these men unique, and emphasize them in a beautiful and different way.
From This Visit
Looking at this exhibit from a different point of view really opened up my eyes to the importance of a display of artworks. The pieces along with lighting, props, furniture and color all are incorporated in making an exhibit complete. For this exhibit, using colored walls and quotes from some of the subjects in the portraits, the viewer was able to get the whole experience.
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