Social Satire Rendered by Brush Stroke

September means Summer is officially over, school has begun and our thoughts turn to Football, the vacation-less grind of work and the mundane drone of day-to-day life.

I'm reminded of a 20th Century artist whose subjects often touched on the everyday tableaux of the American scene. But whose whimsical touch always enlivened the proceedings.

 

 

Welcome to the Autumnal Equinox edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Jack Levine (1915 – 2010) was a New York-based "Social Realist" painter known for his satirical interpretations of modern life and political machination. His work can be viewed in some of the Nation's premier museums and galleries.

According to Wikipedia, Levine "focused his sardonic eye and acerbic wit on everyone from gangsters, politicians and cops to the dealers, critics, collectors and auction houses of the contemporary art world. His lifelong love of the Old Masters and dedication to exacting technique led to the development of a multifaceted painting style in which distortions are used for emphasis and highlights are refined to a jewel-like brilliance."

It's the "distortions" that have drawn me to his works.  Because, although he is very painterly and "fine art" in his application, Levine's unique style informed his work much like that of a caricature artist. 

To wit:

 

 

 

Here's some "corporate" work of my own, commissioned as gifts to honor these business people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope to see you again the first Tuesday of next month for another whimsical whack at the work of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

 

Joel Kweskin