Essential Identity
Robert Freeman told me that he doesn’t set out to tell a story. He begins each work with a “scribble”—large impassioned swirls and slashes. Before long, a narrative begins to emerge. Figures take on personalities and a conversation with the painting begins. The intrigue grows and the work, as a complete whole—composition, color and tonal quality—evolves to tell its own story—on stronger and stronger terms.
All of this comes together in his “Black Tie” paintings. Moving figures emerge from the suggested space in a dance of mysterious energy—a timeless and tireless whirling and spinning—a Jazz composition that becomes the essence of Cool, the “In Crowd.”
It becomes, at the same time, a universal portrait of the human instinct to share an essential identity--from group personas, to a universal human collective. It’s that exclusive humanness that pulls us all together, and it is becoming more critical every day.
You see it in the electric pattern of lights and darks throughout each of his landscapes. It creates a universal whole—a coming together—something all humanity feels deep inside. Each element of the human landscape is interdependent in our ongoing struggle to survive.
It’s the same with PTSD; it’s the same emotional shock wave that anyone can experience. It’s the same struggle that should lead us all to connect with each other and reach for the supernatural…to soar above the biological and even the intellectual to that spirit world where there is a calling—a coming together.
Very cool paintings, and a great analysis of them!
Computer created art...computer created everything. The creation of art has probably been more benign than malign, but it all was a creation of the human mind. Artists are going to have to use their imaginations as AI doesn't have one. Not yet. But, AI is at the point that it can replicate/ imitate and create facsimiles of the great masters—and the rest of us who have creative drive and can express life in our own individual ways. The answer? I can only say, be imaginative and stay in contact with original art and music of each others. The future is a blur to me. I have children, grandchildren and a great grandson. What will life be like next year? Next decade? I fear for them all. I don't know where we are going but we have to continue to use our human capabilities--the Divine gift of insight and creativity.