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Art in death
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Message
Posted
Diana's wonderful work with dead birds got me thinking and also Mary Beard's recent 2 part documentary on Forbidden Art (if you haven't seen it, definitely worth watching on catch up or BBC i Player) featuring amongst other things Daphne Todd's award winning oil painting of her dead mother. I was fascinated by this painting. My view is that it is extraordinarily beautiful. Yes, confronting and yes, I have much admiration of Daphne's ability to do it and, of course, her skill shines through. No, I wouldn't want it on my wall but it is a piece of portraiture that provokes a reaction and makes me want to keep looking at it and not in a ghoulish way either. Has led me to contemplate why death can seem such a forbidden territory for more modern day artists.
Posted
I did see this and am not a squeamish person but did feel uncomfortable looking at some of the images. That discomfort being probably a feeling of intrusion into something which is usually private and unseen. I. Not sure what I think about producing and exhibiting art works to shock or disturb your audience. However, illustrating traumatic personal experiences seems more acceptable in a semi fictional presentation such as a novel or drama
Edited
by Diana Boanas
Posted
I will have a look at the program on catch up Heather. We know that different cultures view death in many ways. Death is a normality of life. It is something to be greatly respected but I think we shy away from it too much because it is seen as something you shouldn't talk about. Monet painted his wife on her death bed. Artist paint everything, as long as death is painted with respect and empathy and dignity, I think that's alright.
Posted
Death is often very traumatic, undignified and painful. Not something you would choose to illustrate for exhibition or display yet it’s ok to portray it through other artistic media as in drama poetry and literature. I’m no Tracey Emin and find looking at some of her work uncomfortable but maybe that’s her intention.
Posted
I don't think Daphne's desire was to shock or deliberately disturb but more as an act of love and that's how I saw it and why I think it was beautiful Just a personal view but any artist who deliberately sets out to shock or disturb does not work for me ... definitely true of some of the other images Mary reviewed! It's interesting how many artists in the past drew on death which influenced their artworks as Denise says (and other cultures too). Certainly many allegories are told this way and, of course, death was a much more common experience and people were much more exposed to seeing dead bodies before modern medicines intervened.
Posted
I agree with you about Daphne’s painting. It was beautiful but very personal and not something anyone else would want to own. British culture is very uncomfortable around death though I think we’re moving forward in accepting it I went to see the body worlds exhibition twice and it was an interesting atmosphere of hushed awkwardness as visitors entered Once the initial fear/ discomfort had been overcome, there was a show of fascination
Posted
I can fully appreciate that
I have just looked at Daphne Todd’s portrait of her dead mother. I found it hard to look at and upsetting. My reaction.I can fully appreciate that Sylvia. It was my initial reaction. I felt as if I was invading her privacy . Beautifully painted but I was unsure why Daphne would give it away.
Posted
I do agree death can be traumatic, this is very true but it can also be a dignified, peaceful, natural transition. Victorians took photographs of their dead relative, dressed and posed. A process that would be unacceptable today but what I'm saying is that our views of death change depending on our exposure to it. Maybe some people will think it is unacceptable in art because there has been no exposure to it. I've just looked at the painting, I think it is an emotional, tender piece of art. I am not offended by it and think it is a great piece of art.
Edited
by Denise Cat
Posted
Interesting comments by all and much appreciated. For those of you haven't seen the programme it might be interesting to hear DT's comments to MB and also to see it in context. it's a large piece and a split painting beautifully framed (but that's another subject!). I agree Diana the Bodyworks exhibition was fascinating 9have seen a couple of his documentaries too). I think it's still on for those of you who are interested.
Oh and on another subject but sort of related was the BBC2 TV documenary Seven Portraits: Surviving the Holocaust. Amazing portraits of amazing people with such powerful stories. Shall definitely go to the exhibition. My favourites were Helen Aronson, Rachel Levy and best of all Anita Lasker-Wallfisch. The artist captured her anger, determination and powerful personality so well in my view. They are all very exposing and challenging portraits.
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