"Using Middle America as her muse, Kowch draws the history of a particular place -- invariably rural -- to the surface as it collides with a new reality in layers of metaphor and moodiness. The faces of her women may remind you of characters in a Tim Burton film."
--Steve Parks, Newsday

Sunday, January 18, 2009

In Memoriam: The Passing of an Idol



Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009)

This Friday the art world lost an icon at the age of 91. Never was there an artist whose life and work I've felt so connected to. I can't even begin to count the ways. One of the greatest American artists, Andrew Wyeth will always continue to be an inspiration and influence in my life.

"I do an awful lot of thinking and dreaming about things in the past and the future — the timelessness of the rocks and the hills — all the people who have existed there ."

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape — the loneliness of it — the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn't show.

"I think anything like that — which is contemplative, silent, shows a person alone — people always feel is sad. Is it because we've lost the art of being alone?"

“I dream a lot. I do more painting when I'm not painting. It's in the subconscious.”

Here's to a great man, and extraordinary artist whose art has left an eternal mark in the American psyche. Rest in peace, Andrew. Your legacy lives on.

4 comments:

Marcyanna said...

Nice post Andrea.

I was lucky... I got to see the Helga paintings when they came to the DIA in '86. My high school art teacher took us on a field trip to see them.

Also... about 9 years ago Dave & I took a trip out to Maine and visited the Farnsworth Art Museum to see the "A Century of Wyeths" show. It was all three generations together under one roof. It was incredible! He will definitely be missed...

Andrea Kowch said...

That must've been the most amazing field trip. I'm glad I was able to make it out to Maine for the first time this past summer to visit the Farnsworth, too. Just to stand before all their work was unreal. And to walk through the Olson House was an experience in itself. I'll never forget it. I really want to make it back there again someday.

Kaylen Conley said...

I have always loved the way he described the winter and fall as the bone structure of a landscape. His work lives on through us. Rest in peace Andrew

Dave Chow Illustrations said...

Amazing amazing man and even more amazing family of artists. He will be missed.