Smithsonian Institution’s Post

Why are portraits powerful? How do contemporary artists make portraits? From traditional paintings to more experimental renderings, artists like Amy Sherald and William Scott use the practice of portraiture to elevate figures in popular culture like celebrities, politicians, as well as everyday people. Considering the long tradition of portraiture painting, we’ll explore why it continues to be relevant for 21st century artists and the diverse methods they use to represent a range of figures. Join us for a Virtual Educator Workshop: 🗣️ What is Contemporary Art? Portraits 📅 Saturday, February 1, 2025 ⏰ 1:00 p.m. ET RSVP (free): https://bit.ly/40QqLMY Co-presented by SFMOMA and Art21, this workshop is part of a series exploring two different aspects of the question "what is contemporary art." Each workshop encourages educators to think and work like artists, using thematic, inquiry-driven processes and strategies. Presented in partnership with SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Building a cohesive art collection goes beyond simply acquiring pieces you love—it's about crafting a narrative. A strong collection mirrors your vision, interests, and values. Start by honing in on a theme, be it broad like contemporary art or specific like works delving into identity or nature. Embrace diversity in mediums, styles, and viewpoints for a vibrant collection. Consistency in quality is paramount; ensure each piece enhances the entirety, whether it's paintings, sculptures, or digital art. An adept art advisor can link you with artists and galleries aligning with your vision, assisting in navigating auctions, private sales, and emerging trends. #ArtCollection #ArtAdvisor #CuratingNarratives

REFLECTED GLORY Camden Harbor, ME Not a conventional -and perhaps a bit disconcerting- image of the US flag, REFLECTED GLORY came about while I was on a photo shoot in Camden, ME. I was drawn to the curious interplay of the flag’s reflection beneath the weathered pier, whose own dark reflection on the still water seemed to take on the appearance of jaws. The image was captured a few days before September 11, 2001, a timing that as time goes on and the political climate hardened has added an unanticipated character to its interpretation. It struck me that the flag, sometimes referred to as “Old Glory,” while recognizable, takes on an abstract, almost painterly quality, inviting my contemplation of how glory and patriotism, like reflections, shift in significance depending on the lens through which they are viewed. Grounded as it is in the physical world, the aged wooden pier, for me, represents on one hand stability and history, and on the other, if its reflection is viewed as clenched jaws, could be interpreted as menacing - or even protective. REFLECTED GLORY is from my WATER IMAGES exhibition portfolio https://lnkd.in/e2YbTfvR in which most images are printed large scale, full-frame from slide film (chrome), have been in one museum and several gallery exhibitions nationwide, both solo and group. They are available in small number, limited edition museum quality prints.   #fineart #fineartphotography #water #reflections #usflag #americanflag #starsandstripes #oldglory #2001 #artcollector #artforinteriors  #artconsultant #contemporaryart #artforinteriors #interiordesign #imagelicensing #hospitality #artworld #artgallery #patriotism #exhibition #limitededitionprints #political #camden #maine 

🎨 Dive into the depths of Edvard Munch's "The Girls on the Bridge," a striking masterpiece from 1901 that captures much more than a mere visual narrative. This painting is a profound exploration of human emotion, rendered in Munch's unmistakable Expressionist style. 🖌️ The artwork features a group of young women standing on a bridge, draped in vivid, flowing clothes that seem to ripple with their internal sentiments. Munch uses bold, sweeping brushstrokes and a vibrant palette dominated by shades of blue and orange, enveloping the scene in a dreamlike quality that is both eerie and enchanting. The perspective is slightly distorted, a technique Munch employed to enhance the emotional depth of the scene. 👁️ Munch's artistic vision often centered on themes of angst, love, and mortality, conveyed through a highly personalized and symbolic use of color and form. "The Girls on the Bridge" is no exception, with its emphasis on the inner life of its subjects, showcased by their contemplative stances and the hauntingly empty landscape that surrounds them. 📜 Controversies were not uncommon in Munch's career, primarily stemming from his radical departure from naturalistic representation and his deeply introspective approach that often unnerved contemporary audiences. His works, including "The Girls on the Bridge," stirred debates on the nature of art itself, challenging the boundaries between the viewer's perception and the artist’s emotional reality. #EdvardMunch #TheGirlsontheBridge #Expressionism #ArtHistory #NorwegianArt #1901 #Masterpiece #ArtLovers #ExpressionistArt #ArtCollector #ArtExhibition #FineArt #Symbolism #ModernArt #MuseumCollection #FigurePainting #ArtisticVision #ArtControversy #CulturalHeritage #ArtEducation #WorldArt #VisualArts #ArtisticExpression #ArtWorld #ClassicArt #ArtCriticism #ContemplativeArt #BridgeArt #ArtisticInnovation

Adrian Piper Self-Portrait at Age 5 with Doll, 1966 Oil on canvas and doll Explore the innovative fusion of 2D and 3D art with Adrian Piper’s "Self-Portrait at Age 5 with Doll." Born in 1948 in New York City, Piper has become a significant figure in conceptual and performance art, known for addressing themes of identity, race, and social structures. This piece, combining oil on canvas with a physical doll, breaks traditional boundaries, creating a multidimensional experience. Piper's use of real objects within her paintings was groundbreaking at the time, offering a new layer of narrative and interaction. By incorporating a doll, she evokes the Clark doll tests' poignant commentary on racial identity, revealing the deeper psychological impacts of societal ideals on young minds. Piper’s method was influenced by conceptual artists like Sol LeWitt, emphasizing ideas over aesthetics. Her technique of integrating real objects into paintings predated similar approaches in contemporary art, where physical elements are used to enhance narrative and viewer engagement. "Self-Portrait at Age 5 with Doll" stands as a powerful statement on personal and societal identity, showcasing Piper's unique ability to blend personal history with broader social commentary. #AdrianPiper #SelfPortrait #ConceptualArt #MixedMedia #OilOnCanvas #DollArt #ContemporaryArt #ArtisticExpression #ArtInspiration #GalleryExhibit #ArtisticJourney #VisualNarrative #ArtInnovation #IdentityInArt #SocialCommentary #MoMA #ArtInNYC The Museum of Modern Art

WHAT IS SATURATION IN ART? Explore & Experience How SATURATION plays a key role in how we perceive & use color in ART & DESIGN………… [definition: de•fi:ni~shen] Saturation defines the purity, intensity, and strength of a color. A highly saturated color is vivid, vibrant, and full of life, while lower saturation results in muted, faded, or even pallid hues. Video Time | 97 Seconds—

WHAT IS SATURATION IN ART? Explore & Experience How SATURATION plays a key role in how we perceive & use color in ART & DESIGN………… [definition: de•fi:ni~shen] Saturation defines the purity, intensity, and strength of a color. A highly saturated color is vivid, vibrant, and full of life, while lower saturation results in muted, faded, or even pallid hues. Video Time | 97 Seconds—

Artists are pushing the boundaries of creativity by using laser engraving on wood, creating intricate designs that blend technology with artistry. From three-dimensional sculptures to delicate clockwork, these innovative makers are redefining what's possible with lasers. Curious to see how lasers transform wood into jaw-dropping masterpieces? Check out the work of these 10 mind-blowing artists—each one takes laser art to a whole new level. Want to know who they are and what they’re creating? Click to explore the full list! [Read More](https://lnkd.in/eCukvCgD)

ART PRIZE 2025 #extendeddeadline New deadline for submission 27 Dec 2024 We invite applications from Greek and international artists for the 2025 Art Prize. Established in 2019, the Art Prize is a culmination of our thirty-year long efforts to strengthen contemporary artistic leadership and innovation. It supports contemporary artists by offering them the opportunity to create a site-specific artwork that will not only become part of the Foundation’s art collection but will join an important cultural heritage as well. The 2025 Art Prize invites Greek and international artists to apply. The selected proposal will stand out for its originality, creativity, and site-specificity. The 2025 Art Prize calls for site-specific, large-scale land art installations created to remain on permanent display outdoors, and become part of a specific, configured environment; works which narrate an internal path/route, and which can be reference points within their exhibition space. The 2025 prize is open to visual artists working in one or more of the following fields: land art, environmental art, ecological art, sculpture, sound and sculptural installation, mixed media, and artists working with natural materials, creating works that integrate art and nature with the aim of generating innovative experiences in open spaces. More info and application https://lnkd.in/gb_Ec6sU

WHAT IS SATURATION IN ART? Explore & Experience How SATURATION plays a key role in how we perceive & use color in ART & DESIGN………… [definition: de•fi:ni~shen] Saturation defines the purity, intensity, and strength of a color. A highly saturated color is vivid, vibrant, and full of life, while lower saturation results in muted, faded, or even pallid hues. Video Time | 97 Seconds—