Rapid River Magazine, october 2006

R A P I D R I V E R A R T S
MORE FINE ART
Impressions of the figure
By Paula Bolado
E
ver since early
humans were
able to express
creativity
through art, the
human form has
always been a subject
central in recording a
way of life.
These early creative
studies are the early
European pictographs
on cave walls detailing
hunting and religious
rituals, to the discovery
of The Valley of the
Kings, where we found
Egyptian sarcophagi
layered in gold. They
are the Persian angels or
Christian cherubs on church walls, or the
Madonna and Child in every religious text.
When people first learned to use art as a
medium for expression and imagination,
the human form emerged as a reoccurring
symbol of cultural distinction. From the
religious icons and baroque paintings of
Sandro Botticelli and Peter Paul Rubens, to
the expression of social unrest and human
debauchery of Edvard Munch and Francis
Bacon, to the recorded moments of love
and affection of Gustav Klimt and Mary
Cassatt, the way these artists perceived
humanity, then painted it, left an impression
in the way we find ourselves perceiving
the world around us. Do we agonize over
political change through rapid brushstrokes,
or do we share our joy through the birth of
a child through soft colors? As artists, we
are historians, sharing a generation, a year,
even just one hour with others.
The first of the lecture series Gallery 86
of the Haywood County Arts Council will
offer is an observation of the human form
Dan Helgemo “Churchmaid’s Rest”
oil on canvas (www.dhelgemo.com)
in art. During the week of
Nov. 13-18, there will be
Monday - Thursday afternoon
workshop of lectures
from professional instructors
in humanity studies
discussing the historical
developments to the contemporary
interpretations of the
human form in art history.
An evening workshop in life
studies will cover aspects of
the female and male form in
drawing.
If you go:
What: The Figure in Art
Workshop and The exhibit
“Impressions of the Figure”
When: November 13-18
Where: Gallery 86 of
the Haywood County Arts
Council
Info/price: (828) 452-
0593 Weeklong workshop is
$60 and includes refreshments.
The cost of the figure Saturday
painting class is $50 and
includes lunch and refreshments.
6-10pm Oct. 6 and Nov. 3
20 October 2006 — Rapid River ArtS & CULTURE Magazine— Vol. 10, No. 2