The Modernist's Wife

by John Clark Oil on Paper ( Framed and Glazed ) 50 x 40 cms ( unframed )
60 x 48.5 cms ( framed ) 'Modernism, borne out of despair at the inadeqacies of historical painting to properly address the realities of modern life (generally) and war (particularly), has become, tragically, empty. It's strategies ( fracture, distortion, abstraction ) that were once so vital have reduced to interior decoration. Far from delivering the visceral moments of understanding it once did, it has, these days, left us picking colours, liking shapes and wondering about authenticity.
Agree of disagree with this proposition, it was on my mind when I began this small series. They borrow Bertelli's sculpture, 'continuous profile' of Mussolini, invert it, and replace Mussolini with profiles of modernist pioneers ( Picasso in the case of the examples here, or that of his wife ). They are games. Painted illusionistically they wonder whether the aims and beliefs of the modernist's have left us spinning in isolation with only our taste for company.
John Clark, November '23 Stock Ref: Clark_J069