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Local News for a Global Village | www.VoiceSB.com
November 20, 2020
Art Matters
Sharing An Art Cake With The 100 Years Young Wayne Thiebaud
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By Edward Goldman, ART Matters
Photo Courtesy Time4Art’s “Form and Movement” video
T: Anthony James studio in Downtown LA’s Art District. B: Artist, James in front of his copper Ferrari artwork.
Photo by Betty Jean Thiebaud
Photos by Edward Goldman
Photo Courtesy Christie’s
ET’S START TODAY WITH SOMETHING INSPIRING AND POSITIVE – an ArtNet interview with Wayne Thiebaud, the famous California artist, who is celebrating his 100th birthday. Yes, Thiebaud is alive and well, and he not only allows us to savor his fabulous cakes, but also gives us advice on how to stay healthy: “enjoy it when you have it, but don’t have too much.” When asked if he “remembers another time Cake Rows (1962) by Wayne Thiebaud (during his long life) when so much seemed to be going wrong in the world?” Thiebaud responded, “I experienced the Depression...but it was somewhat different. People were not divided. They seemed to be willing to help each other...It wasn’t so anxious and strident, as it seemingly is today.” All of the above reminds me of Marie Antoinette’s famously naughty statement: “Let them eat cake.” Today, 200 years later, looking at Thiebaud’s paintings, we can have his cakes and eat it too... And talking about priceless advice from another smart and famous California artist Beatrice Wood (b. 1893-1998) who miraculously lived and worked up to the last 105th year of her life. When asked what was the secret to her personal and artistic vivaciousness...she famously replied, “there is no secret, just young men and plenty of chocolate.” Hmm, good food for thought... Last weekend I visited two Los Angeles artists, Anthony James, at his studio in Downtown LA’s Art District, and Simon Ouwerkerk, at his studio in Manhattan Beach. It was my first experience seeing Wayne Thiebaud at home in Sacramento in 1961. James’s art in person. His spacious studio was filled with his Artwork ©Wayne Thiebaud/Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society, New York. signature monumental geometric sculptures incorporating glass, steel, and LED structures. As impressive as they are from a distance, at first glance, they are even more magical up-close when you discover that you are staring into the illusionary infinite space. British-born Anthony James lives and works in New York, Los Angeles, and Munich. Looking at his bronze, copper, and aluminum sculptures inspired by his love for Ferraris, made me think that Los Angeles, the City of Angels and Cars, is James’s place to be... I have had the good fortune to know Simon Ouwerkerk and his art for a number of years. I was looking forward to seeing his solo exhibition Form and Movement at the Manhattan Beach Art Center, envisioned and curated by Chairman of the Board, Homeira Goldstein. The exhibition presents Ouwerkerk’s recent abstract organic sculptures. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, this exhibition is currently not open for visitors. But here’s the good news; Manhattan Beach Art Center made a courageous and creative solution to the problem. Most of the metal sculptures by Simon Ouwerkerk, installed inside of the galleries, will be moved and installed -just Portrait of Beatrice Wood in her Ojai studio, 1983, from the Jim McHugh Artist Archives for a day- outside of the Art Center. So, we have a chance to see his art on Saturday, November 21st and for yet another daySaturday, December 19th. I am particularly eager to see his organic-shaped silver shining metal sculptures, inspired by breathing and moving human bodies. My advice to those of you who are planning to visit the exhibition, take a look at the video introducing you to the artist and his art making at https://tinyurl.com/y5n2lypb Let me finish today with the news about upcoming Zoom Webinar Lecture at the Wende Museum (https://tinyurl.com/yy8k3xdb), this Friday, November 20th, at 12pm PST. The subject of this lecture by Arch Getty, Professor of History at UCLA, is “Soviet Anti-Semitisms.” Before the Anthony James Studio - REPOSE, 2020. October Revolution of 1917, Russia was one of the most Watch video at https://vimeo.com/444386060 anti-Semitic countries in Europe, infamous for its pogroms during which thousands of Jews were killed. After the Revolution, Soviet policy officially discouraged traditional antiEdward Goldman was art critic and host of “Art Talk,” a Semitism, but it never went away. And that’s weekly program which aired prime-time Tuesday evenings why yours truly chose to emigrate from the during All Things Considered on LA’s largest NPR affiliate, Soviet Union. Lucky for me and my family, KCRW 89.9 FM, for more than 30 years. Along the way, he America, with open arms, greeted us as also contributed weekly art reports to the Huffington Post Discover more Art Matters Columns at political refugees in 1978. and developed a strong digital following.
Form and Movement. Manhattan Beach Art Center. 2020
Soviet Anti-Semitisms: A Lecture with J. Arch Getty. Wende Art Museum.
Video Courtesy Anthony James
Image via Artsy
Simon Ouwerkerk, Form and Movement Manhattan Beach Art Center
www.edwardgoldman.com