Sunday, Nov 29 2009

 

Hama Goro

(Mali)

Hama Goro was born in Dinangourou, in 1963. He belongs to the Dogon people. Hama Studied at the institute National des Arts in Bamako. Goro also worked at the Atelier d’Arte Plastique Jamana.

Hama Goro works with a traditional method, called Bogolan technique. Traditionally, Bogolan has been used only for clothing. “Hama is inspired by this method used in Mali to color clothes. The ingredients of the various colours originate from natural products like clay, leaves and bark from trees. The colours had a symbolic significance and were used during ritual ceremonies. For example with the Dogon people ochre-yellow is exclusively used by the hunters; the black colour was only for those taking care of the animals. Bogolan is a Bamara word and derives from Bogo which means clay/mud; lan means from – thus made from clay. All those colours are obtained by cooking the ingredients. Sometimes I mix these with acrylic powder.” (http://www.africaserver.nl/virtual/exhibitions/hama/)

Hama Goro draws inspiration from the various social, economic, and political situations around him. He also finds inspiration in the West ans the western views of Africa. Hama can see the effects of the western world on Africa and its many cultures. The conflict between tradition and modern life often shows in Hama’s work.

Beau temps – natural paint on textile  1996

Solitude – natural paint on textile
 1996

I love the way Hama Goro can invoke the sense of solitude. These two painting are magnificent. They are both done in the Bogolan technique. By using simplistic colors Hama has relied on the use of light to portray the figures and their surroundings. I think he makes great use of his training and traditions. He has kept the spirit of African art alive in his exemplary works.

I encourage you to take a look at all of Hama Goro’s pieces. Please enjoy.

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Nigerian Traditional Hair “Art” Friday, Nov 20 2009

unnamed photo by: J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere

unnamed photo by: J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere

J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere was born in 1930, in Ojomu Emai, Nigeria. He lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria. Ojeikere started his career in 1961 as a still photographer with ta Nigerian TV station and in 1975 opened his own studio, Photo Ojeikere. Ojeikere wanted to map the culture of his native country in different ways. In 1967 he joined the Nigerian Arts Council, and during their festival of the following year he began to take series of photographs dedicated to Nigerian culture. Starting in 1968, Ojeikere started photographing various hairstyles he sees. He has photographed these hairstyles on the streets, at work, and at celebrations.

There are hundreds of ethnic groups in Nigeria, each with its own traditions. Among other things which are part of these traditions are various hairstyles. There are special hairstyles for different social occasions, such as marriage, and for social positions in families. The “Hair Style” project is composed of nearly 1,000 black and white photo images.

 I love the way J.D. ‘Okai Ojeikere thought to capture the many culture of Nigeria through the photography of the hairstyles. I would love to learn what each of the hairstyles symbolized or for what event they were created. Ojeikere asked everyone that he photographed, nut I could not find where this information might be accessible. I selected two pieces from Ojeikere collection to show the extreme diversity in the styling. I felt the first had an almost regal feel to it. The magnificent fabric and clever folds created bring art to fashion. The second is truly amazing since it is created with only hair. All I can say is “Wow!”

Please enjoy these as much as I do.

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The Land of Enchantment Friday, Nov 13 2009

 As a native New Mexican, I am drawn to the magnificent works of home. I love the beauty of the southwest, NM in particular as a unique beauty. The following art  pieces remind me of home. I have been to some of the places and seen scenes similar to many of these. New Mexico still carries a strong Mexican influence and displays many of the old traditions. Please enjoy this magnificent gallery of New Mexico Art.

Kathleen Squires

Kathleen Squires is a recognized Southwest artist. Her paintings have been shown in gallery shows and juried exhibits in El Paso and Marfa TX, Tubac AZ, as well as  Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Ruidoso and Las Cruces NM. Kathleen paints a wide range of subjects, though primarily focused on the American Southwest.

Kathleen was born in Wisconsin, to native Texans, school in Montana, and has lived in the Southwest since 1963. She turned to art after a career in advertising and public relations. Her success as an artist is demonstrated by the numerous exhibits in which her art is displayed. Kathleen currently has her studio in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The following works were created in the late 2000s.

 When I lived in Las Cruces, I would go down to Mesilla to walk around the plaza and old neighborhoods. Many of these images are from that area. The old adobe buildings had a certain comforting nature to them. There were festivals, art shows, music, and dancing going on the majority of the time. Mesilla was a cultural center of the area. New Mexico is beautiful, from the architecture to the folklorico dancers, it is rich in Mexican and Native American influences. What a magnificent area to showcase! 

Morning Shadows in Mesilla, oil on canvas

 

Santuario de Chimayo, oil on linen canvas, 2009

 

Summer Storm, oil on canvas, 2009

 Ah!, a New Mexico rain storm. A rare, but beautiful thing.

(Hedge) Hog Heaven, oil on canvas

 Prickly pear cacti were found throughout New Mexico. We had them growing around our property. Many of the locals would use the cactus to make jellies and candies. My great-grandmother used to make prickly pear jelly for us when we were little. What a strangely, comforting plant.

Fiesta!, oil on canvas

 Folklorico dancing is something that everyone should see at some point in their lives. The dancers bring stories to life through their precise, enchanting moves. The dances are passed down through the generations to keep history alive.

San Miguel Courtyard, oil on linen canvas

Ventana de San Miguel, oil on linen canvas

Dinner in Lucca, oil on linen canvas, 2009

 

Robert Highsmith

 Robert Highsmith is another magnificent New Mexico artist. Highsmith received his art training from New Mexico State University and Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, FL. Robert has received over a hundred awards for his watercolors and other paintings. He has been featured in American Artist Magazine, Watercolor Magic, Watercolor Artist, and Southwest Art. The desert landscapes and southwest canyons are Highsmith’s favorite subjects. Robert moved back to New Mexico in 2003 with his family, when he started he art career. I was unable to find exact dates for when these paintings were created but I know they were after 2003.

These watercolors show such detail and bring back memories from my childhood and early adulthood. I grew up near the Organ mountains, along the Rio Grande. Highsmith captures every beauty and detail of the landscape. These are wonderful representations of the beautiful, “Land of Enchantment.” I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

The Organ Mountains were the main landmark in Las Cruces. These bald peaks stood strong and proud. They spanned the entire east side of the city of Las Cruces. There were magnificent hiking trails throughout these rocky mountains.

Another wonderful sight after a good rain was the water running down the arroyos. The normal dry arroyos beds would fill with a new life, bringing the much-needed water to the vegetation at lower elevations. Arroyos are found throughout the state.

This Painting is of a bend in the Rio Grande, about two miles from my childhood home. We would go fishing just around the bend at the state park. During my teen years we would ride our quads down the sandy beaches of this beautiful river.

The road going to my grandparents house. There are many wonderful natural beauties on this road. There was always a surprise waiting for the travelers going through this beautiful countryside.

 I hope you enjoyed this display of Southern New Mexico. The “Land of Enchantment” is truly an enchanting place.

 

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I WANT YOU Tuesday, Nov 3 2009

 

 

 

I Want You For the U.S. Army, James Montgomery Flagg, 1916

This iconic poster was first published on July 6, 1916 on the cover of  Leslie’s Weekly with the title “What Are You Doing for Preparedness?” During WWI this became the most famous image. Between 1917 and 1918 over four million copies would be printed to help support the war as our troops were being sent overseas. The Image would be used to help recruit troops during WWI and later WWII.

During WWI, the United States government would commission works of art and films to help promote the war effort and to give moral boosts to the troops. Flagg would contribute 46 works in support of the war during which time he was a member of the first Civilian Preparedness Committee.

I love this poster. It is iconic American art and is recognizable around the globe. It was created when our country was in dire need of Patriotism and support of the American troops. This is a symbol of our country. Uncle Sam has a stern look and almost puts a notion of fear into the viewer. This was such a successful poster that it would be continually used by the military to gain troops throughout the years. This image can still be found in most recruitment offices today.

The simplistic colors along with the details of Uncle Sam make this image beautiful and memorable. I hope everyone gets a little feeling of patriotism when they view this magnificent image.

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