Realism

For an uncertain period of time, we humans walk through life in a suit of skin.  However, our existance is also comprised of an inner life as well. Much time and thought has been spent determining just what that is. The form of expression called Realism allows for me an elastic means to explore this equation.

Whatever this inner life is to us, the ability to transcribe it outwardly through representational painting, has preoccupied western man within a spiritual, psychological, social, political, and aesthetic framework. The mature principles of Realism have endured and expanded over the last five hundred years because the artists practicing them have been able to find the necessary metaphors through which the world - externally, could be made comprehensible; resulting in a personal vision of a constantly changing global culture and society, of which we are all influenced greatly.

In my opinion, post modernism, through numerous mutations, has lost the ability to do this effectively. This may also account for a sustaining interest in Realism today.

The following works are on display at the Chase Exhibition Room, Public Archives Halifax, NS

Steven Rhude Wolfville, NS

The Beekeper, oil on canvas, 62"x 40", Steven Rhude


Study for Beekeeper, graphite on paper, 14"x13", Steven Rhude



The Museum Today, oil on canvas, 36"x 60", Steven Rhude



Rescue, Hound of the Cavale, oil on canvas, 40"x 90", Steven Rhude



1992 - Night Before a Hurricane, oil on board, 22"x 38", Steven Rhude



Portrait of Lucy Publicover, graphite on paper, 9.75" x 14", Steven rhude



Boy and Hay Bale - Learning to Leave, oil on canvas, 27"x 37", Steven Rhude




Falling Boat, oil on canvas, 54"x  14", Steven Rhude



Soup, graphite on paper, 14"x 21", Steven Rhude



The Huguenot, graphite on paper, 10.5"x 14", Steven Rhude



Boy with Buoy, oil on canvas, 44"x 40", Steven Rhude



Pig, - The Civilizer, graphite on paper, 7"x 10.5", Steven Rhude



Devil's Island Light in the Rothko Chapel, oil on canvas, 24"x  30", Steven Rhude

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Saving of Everett Lewis

Image
“One believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved” (St. Paul, Rom. 10:10). On October 23rd, 2018 I met and interviewed Reverend Stephen Wade in Paradise, Nova Scotia. In 1978, New Years Eve day, Reverend Wade met and provided spiritual consolation hours before Everett Lewis was murdered. Port Lorne, Nova Scotia, 2013 - a power outage owing to a winter storm. He went out to his garage to start up his generator which was in need of fuel. The power was out and emergency sirens could be heard through out the region. It was one of those winter nights.  I'm reminded of the power of gasoline, my own can stored in a shed ... pull back the plastic lock to release the cap into motion and then turn the cap counter clockwise to expose the flammable agent... did it a thousand times. The odour staining my nostrils, as I eventually fill my lawn mower gas tank to cut my grass and maintain a common, and collective suburban exercise. An im...
Read more

What really happened in Marshalltown?

Image
"In 1851 including idiots and imbiciles, there was one insane person for every 593 of the population; in 1861 this ratio had risen to one in 504; while in 1871 there was no less than one to 309." He further noted that "the advance of the population was at 40 percent, while the number of those with unsound mind increased 169 percent in the same period."  - Dr. DeWolfe, Report of the inspector of Humane Institutions April1, 1955 to March 31, 1956, Province of Nova Scotia Poor Farm, oil on canvas, 60" x 128", Steven Rhude      This time of year dodging the weather is an art form in itself - the two hour journey from Wolfville to Marshalltown on a two lane highway must be timed accordingly and approached with caution. Winds from the north mountain can easily buffet a car as one contemplates their destination. On other occasions, engulfed in white outs, I've turned back; "keep your eye on the road mister." That said, driving through...
Read more

Scene of the Crime (My trip to the AGNS)

Image
Installation view of Maud Lewis House, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, photo, Steven Rhude Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Whenever the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia is mentioned, invariably the Folk Art painter, Maud Lewis and her house comes to mind. Probably the most photographed house in Nova Scotia, this quaint little dwelling was restored to its former glory beginning in 1996 with funds from the federal Department of Canadian Heritage, and a little help from Scotia Bank.  At the time, Scotia Bank was on a marketing quest to show a new regional face to the world. An image of connection with the common folk that was certain to garner a favorable response as the big bank aligned itself with arts and culture and the roots of Nova Scotia. And yet ironically, nothing was mentioned about the origins of the house to the public. Rather, the marketing campaign was designed to focus on resurrecting Maud Lewis’s colourful home and her cheerful disposition for an eager pub...
Read more