Saturday, October 24, 2015

Artists I've met at the Florence Biennale


Talking to visitors at the Florence Biennale

This past week has been an exciting and heady experience
talking to visitors to the Biennale, trying to communicate
whether in English, Italian, French, German, and sometimes
a word or two in other languages. And one of the best
parts of the experience has been spending time with and
learning about the art of other artists.  Above all it's been
fun. With 400 artists in the show, I cannot possibly discuss
all of them, but here are a few who've become my friends,
and I'll try to cover more tomorrow.
Wessel Huisman with his work Garden of Men
Dutch artist,Wessel Huysman displays three large canvasses
at the entrance to the Biennale, dramatic scenes in black,
white and shades of grey.  They are filled with figures,
depicting -- firs the technical world, and the greed which
is killing the planet, in the middle panel -- the world where we
are now, just carrying on with our daily life, and in the far
panel the possibility of heaven, with parachutes
ascending and a world filled with joy and wonder.

 
 Wessel explains his work to Florence Biennale visitors
This is a big theme at the Biennale. Kama Rosynska from Poland
is displaying two large photographs on the theme of waiting
for Dionysus. The bottom one shows faces shrouded with
transparent veils, not seeing the trees (beauty) around then.  Cattle
skulls float in the sky with brilliant moons.  In the top
one, Dionysus has arrived and it's both erotic and frightening.

 Kama Rosynska with her 
Waiting for Dionysus photo paintings
Betty Collier's exuberant abstract sculptures arise out of a
love for the natural world.  She is a huge fan of walking, and
during her walks in the woods in Australia has been fascinated
with the shapes of mushrooms -- the inspiration for these
two sculptures.
Betty Collier with her sculptures 
-- Cluster formations

Norway's Heidi Fosli, is primarily an abstract impressionist
who introduces figures that are almost hidden into
her work.  Her paintings talk about the lack of connection
people feel in the modern world, and the possibility of
change through caring about the planet, nature and one
another.  Her center panel is about disassociation, and the
bright coloured side panels offer hope.
Heidi Fosli with her Exposed Globe Triptych

Holland's Miranda Brouwers is exhibiting two striking
landscape paintings, which are about her love for her
country, and the beauty of the sky.  She has just finished
a commission for 100 landscape paintings and feels quite
delighted about that project.
 Miranda Brouwer's landscapes: Heading for Home
Miranda Brouwers with her husband Rolf

Have a going to an international art show day.


6 comments:

Verna Vogel said...

Nice blog post, Barbara! You met some very interesting artists indeed, and I'm glad you had such a wonderful time. The work dealing with where humans are in the world - the negative aspects and the positive possibilities - very good to see hey.

Maintaining a clear-eyed view of where humanity has taken itself, and a clear-eyed hope for a more balanced future, this is so important. Your work fits in beautifully.

Have a hopeful-future kind of day!

:)
V

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Verna,

The Biennale encourages artists to present works with
meaning, and I love listening to what people say about
their work. This is a wonderful group of artists.
Wish you were here! ;-)

XOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Wendy Barrett said...

Oh, Barbara, what a wonderful adventure you are having in Florence! How nice to be able to meet so many other interesting artists. I imagine your work is evoking much admiration and interest!
I hope you are also getting the opportunity to explore the delights of Florence.

Flora Doehler said...

Thanks for sharing that with us. I love it that everyone is reflecting their world view into their work. How can it be otherwise? And you are reflecting a joy and 'blue skies' outlook.....we need more of that and more of your paintings! xo

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Flora, it is actually part of the ethos of the Florence
Biennale to create art with meaning. You are right.
I am reflecting a Blue skies outlook as part of my
hope that we will save the planet. The bar of gold light
connecting the two young women, and the warm light surrounding
them symbolize that they are the hope for the future. They will
save the ocean, and the planet.

Miss you. XOXOXOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Wendy,

it was so wonderful, and yes we got out and saw some of the sights of
Florence. It was magical being there, and a true delight to meet
the other artists. We are in Paris now and having a lovely time here.


XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

Portrait Artist

My photo
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I paint and draw on commission and for shows. To commission a portrait, or purchase one of my paintings please contact me at: barbara.muir@sympatico.ca
A major highlight in my career? Drawing Oprah Winfrey live via Skype for her show "Where in the Skype are you? Galleries: Studio Vogue Gallery, Toronto, Canada. The Amsterdam Whitney Gallery, New York City. Gallery at the Porch Door, Kingston, Canada. Your positive comments on this blog mean the world to me. I'd love to hear from you!