FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM/ 'The Divine Expression' by Eric Whollem, 1984/ A mixed media work on paper/ A geometric abstraction based on Native American petroglyphs

The Divine Expression

1984

by Eric Whollem

mixed media on paper

Collection of the artist

5 7/16" x 4 1/4"

COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Rock Art: Inspiration for Modern Art

The above work is styled on the rock art of the

Native Americans. This type of art has been my

interest for many years. I was lucky enough to

have found a copy of Heizer's book, 'The Prehistoric

Rock Art of California,' many years ago. This book

I highly recommend to all students of art.

THE WEST COAST SCHOOL OF FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM

See my recent post with 'Notes on the West Coast

School of Figurative Expressionism,' for information

on my association to major artists within this tradition.

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/2011/03/figurative-abstraction-watermoon-by.html

Figurative Expressionism has a number of major schools:

that of New York and that of the West Coast, or the

California Bay Area are the best known.

Elmer Bischoff, of the U.C.Berkeley art department, a leading

member of the West Coast Figurative Expressionists, was my

teacher.

There also have been figurative expressionists in Chicago and

Boston. See the Wikipedia link below for a fuller story.

COMMENTS ON THE ROLE OF FIGURATIVE EXPRESSIONISM IN MODERN ART

Some critics idealize Abstract Expressionism and regard Figurative

Expressionism as somehow an indication of 'decline.' This is a matter

of opinion, of course. We cannot freeze time and live in the 1950's

forever.

Abstract Expressionism was one of the first major accomplishments of

modern American art and put American art 'on the map' for the first time

in international art. Such accomplishments are historically significant.

But art is always changing. There will always be those who utilize

anthropomorphic elements in their art; and perhaps there will always be

nonobjective art.

Opinions change as well as styles in art and culture.

_________________

Those interested in my posts about PICTOGRAPHS AND PETROGLYPHS should see this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/pictographs%20and%20petroglyphs

A video about my pictographic abstractions.            

More of my ABSTRACT ART may be seen here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/abstract%20art

Figurative Abstractions.                     

This link will take you to WIKIPEDIA's article on Figurative Expressionism

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Figurative_Expressionism

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