My single favorite photographer in the entire world is a man by the name of Erwin Olaf. His art consists of many layers, literately and physically. His use of color and connecting to the audience is incredible. Each photo is specifically designed with a color palette in mind and all of the elements work together to create this bigger picture.
Olaf spoke at SECCA and I went to hear him. He, as I assume you're aware, is very inspired by Dutch art history. He almost sees it like a straight jacket of history, binding contemporary Dutch artists. His dealing with the imagery is almost a sort of "exorcism." Perhaps I'm being a bit dramatic here, but he did talk about the idea of a "yoke' (my quotes) on artists when the art of the past is such a cultural icon / revenue stream (i.e., tourists).
ReplyDeleteAre there similar American cultural "yokes" that you chafe against?