What does an artist do when he is gifted with classical skills yet wants his work to be modern and exciting and relevant? For painter Russ Noto, it means creating figures who strike traditional poses, but adding elements of the absurd.
Figure with Painted Horse, oil on canvas, 33×43
Push/Pull, oil on panel
Classically posed figures in contemporary clothing are placed in incongruous situations. Kind of leaving us to wonder.. where does traditional work and style fit in? Is it still pertinent to the conversation?
New Quixote, oil on canvas, 33×43
Venus in Exile, oil on canvas, 33×43
There is an inherent sadness to Noto’s work. It’s as if his archetypal characters have been set down in unfamiliar territory and now find themselves isolated and despondent.
Beauty and Violence No.2, oil on canvas, 33×43
But is the future of classical work and traditional themes so bleak? Is there truly room for all in contemporary art? Deep thoughts for a Monday. If you’d like to see more of Russ Noto’s work, and I highly recommend you do, please visit his website.
tanjaernst
April 17, 2013 at 6:14 AMwonderful! lg t