Matisse Cut Outs.
This weekend really was packed full of Art, my friends and I visited the Matisse Exhibition along at Tate Modern. I had been itching to see his work in person purely because I do not think pictures in a book can do his work any justice, and he did not disappoint. I have to say I was not prepared for the scale of his work, it really was quite powerful.
The show itself explores the final chapter in his career in which he began ‘carving into colour’ and displays his series of spectacular cut-outs, it really was his final Artistic triumph.
What I believe to even more amazing is that his illness did not deter him from his work. Despite not being able to paint, he instead began to cut into painted paper with scissors which lead to drafts for a number of commissions. In time, Matisse chose cut-outs over painting: subsequently inventing a new medium.
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No photos were allowed in the exhibition but I could not help take photos of my favourite pieces. Matisse was such an inspiration for me throughout my time at school all the way through to University and I feel he in some way has help me even now re-create an artistic outlet for my work.
Along side his Art, several videos were showcased of him cutting out these shapes to create his collages. His style looks so effortless, however when you attempt to replicate this technique it is incredibly complicated. I so admire his skill for simplicity. whilst reading the information around the Exhibition I learnt that a lot of his work is planned and meticulously laid out, measured an re-measured (there were even pieces that had been overlaid because Matisse was not happy with the composition).
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The larger of his pieces he created on the walls of his home (hence why he was able to create such large scale work). The most beautiful collage (apart from his Blue Nudes which are a very close second) was The Parakeet and The Mermaid. You cannot prepare yourself for the scale of this piece. The simplicity of the name is really all you need to understand as an interested party, however the meanings behind some of these works is a little deeper. The leave like foliage Matisse uses leads him to create his own outside, inside. This struck a huge chord in me, it is just so terribly sad, poignant and wonderfully creative. You can relate to everything Matisse experiences in his life through his work, he is such an inspiration.
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At University I started to explore plants and organic shapes with colour. I started to create work based solely on how light and dark fell on the subject. In my desire to order the light and dark into concentrated shapes I strived for bolder colour, harsher lines and a smaller images. My paintings below were the beginning of this, starting with this huge piece measuring almost 6ft in height down to the small paper sized collages later in the year.
By the time I had reached my 3rd year I had started to created 3D pieces using large sections of canvas I painted to replicate the smaller collages above. I clearly remember my Tutor expressing to me 'why do you not create your work with fabric, this could give the work a different look and feel'. So perhaps I have him to thank (as well as Matisse) for allowing me to explore fabric and turn my work into an interior obsession! Subconsciously I think this lead me to chose this recent fabric for the well awaited German chairs. In an odd way I think I have come full circle with my work.
What ever I think, seeing the Exhibition at the Tate made me want to write and get back in to the Art I have always loved and read about. If you can please go to the Exhibition, It has rekindled something in me and it would surely have a profound effect on anyone who appreciates art and the struggle to continuously create.
As a last note (and staying on the organic theme) we visited Crystal Palace Park on the Sunday to see Victorian interpretations of Dinosaurs. They were brilliant! less brain productivity was had that day and we used it all on the wonderful Matisse work on Saturday.
I hope this blog has been an interesting read for the start of your week, hope it continues that way!
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The show itself explores the final chapter in his career in which he began ‘carving into colour’ and displays his series of spectacular cut-outs, it really was his final Artistic triumph.
What I believe to even more amazing is that his illness did not deter him from his work. Despite not being able to paint, he instead began to cut into painted paper with scissors which lead to drafts for a number of commissions. In time, Matisse chose cut-outs over painting: subsequently inventing a new medium.
No photos were allowed in the exhibition but I could not help take photos of my favourite pieces. Matisse was such an inspiration for me throughout my time at school all the way through to University and I feel he in some way has help me even now re-create an artistic outlet for my work.
Along side his Art, several videos were showcased of him cutting out these shapes to create his collages. His style looks so effortless, however when you attempt to replicate this technique it is incredibly complicated. I so admire his skill for simplicity. whilst reading the information around the Exhibition I learnt that a lot of his work is planned and meticulously laid out, measured an re-measured (there were even pieces that had been overlaid because Matisse was not happy with the composition).
The larger of his pieces he created on the walls of his home (hence why he was able to create such large scale work). The most beautiful collage (apart from his Blue Nudes which are a very close second) was The Parakeet and The Mermaid. You cannot prepare yourself for the scale of this piece. The simplicity of the name is really all you need to understand as an interested party, however the meanings behind some of these works is a little deeper. The leave like foliage Matisse uses leads him to create his own outside, inside. This struck a huge chord in me, it is just so terribly sad, poignant and wonderfully creative. You can relate to everything Matisse experiences in his life through his work, he is such an inspiration.
At University I started to explore plants and organic shapes with colour. I started to create work based solely on how light and dark fell on the subject. In my desire to order the light and dark into concentrated shapes I strived for bolder colour, harsher lines and a smaller images. My paintings below were the beginning of this, starting with this huge piece measuring almost 6ft in height down to the small paper sized collages later in the year.
By the time I had reached my 3rd year I had started to created 3D pieces using large sections of canvas I painted to replicate the smaller collages above. I clearly remember my Tutor expressing to me 'why do you not create your work with fabric, this could give the work a different look and feel'. So perhaps I have him to thank (as well as Matisse) for allowing me to explore fabric and turn my work into an interior obsession! Subconsciously I think this lead me to chose this recent fabric for the well awaited German chairs. In an odd way I think I have come full circle with my work.
What ever I think, seeing the Exhibition at the Tate made me want to write and get back in to the Art I have always loved and read about. If you can please go to the Exhibition, It has rekindled something in me and it would surely have a profound effect on anyone who appreciates art and the struggle to continuously create.
As a last note (and staying on the organic theme) we visited Crystal Palace Park on the Sunday to see Victorian interpretations of Dinosaurs. They were brilliant! less brain productivity was had that day and we used it all on the wonderful Matisse work on Saturday.
I hope this blog has been an interesting read for the start of your week, hope it continues that way!
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