Art Blog/Eric Whollem: Feb 7, 2010

Sunday, February 7, 2010

THE PYRAMIDS OF AZTLAN/ Atlantis/ Figurative Abstract Painting by Eric Whollem/ Mixed Media

The Pyramids of Aztlan

                1983
                by Eric Whollem
                earth pigments, polyvinyl resin, wax medium and gouache on paper
               Collection of the artist.
                18' x 14"
                     Copyright by the artist

A PRIEST OF ATLANTIS

This mixed media painting depicts an Atlantean priest holding a
tablet with an image of the Goddess.

Reminiscences of Aztlan

                                            1977
                                            by Eric Whollem
                                            earth paints, casein and watercolor on paper
                                            Collection of the artist.
                                            14" x 10 7/8"
                                               Copyright by the artist

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A SHAMAN OF TEOTIHUACAN

The antler crowned figure in the painting above is my fantasy rendition
of an Altantean shaman. The meandering blue form represents the
canals of Teotihuacan, which was an island city, now found near Mexico
City. Aztlan is the legendary island home of the Aztecs. Some say that
Aztlan was Atlantis.

Viking Village

                                             1977
                                             by Eric Whollem
                                             earth pigments, casein and watercolor on paper
                                           Collection of the artist.
                                            14" x 10 7/8"
                                               Copyright by the artist.                    Click on image to enlarge

A VIKING SETTLEMENT

This painting is a fantasy rendition of an old Viking village.
The Vikings were the aristocratic class of old Scandinavia.
They were worhsippers of Odin. The commoners often
were devotees of Thor, the popular god.

Nothing Upon Awakening

                                      1988
                                      by Eric Whollem
                                      mixed media on paper: wax resist and India ink with plastic
                                         emulsion crayons
                                      Collection of the artist.
                                      15" x 10"
                                         Copyright by the artist.

REFERENCES TO SCULPTURE

It was in 1988 that I began a large series of ceramic
sculptures. Many of my ceramic works have been posted
on this blog.

I admire the sculptor Henry Moore's subway drawings
from WWII. Nothing Upon Awakening is a tribute to
this British sculptor who has inspired generations.

The Reclining One

1986

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

Collection of the artist.

8.5" x 11"

Copyright by the artist.

BOLD COLOR AND FORM

The German expressionists from the 1930's left us
with an intruiguing legacy of figurative art. Kirchner,
one of their leading artists, is one of the great
creative spirits.

Abstract Expressionism in America began in the
midcentury. In this school of art, the figure largely
disappeared. Exceptions include the art of Gottlieb
and de Kooning. In de Kooning's approach the
treatment of the human figure became even less
naturalistic than the German Expressionists.

What is being expressed in "expressionism?"

Everything from existential anxiety to Zen
meditation. The wild calligraphy of Buddhist
artists from Asia is considered a prototype
for modern expressionistic art, which covers
the gamut of human feeling.

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See my posts about FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/figurative%20expressionism

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE