Monday, May 31, 2010

(Social) Realism: Singapore




Chen Chong Swee (1910 - 1986)

Chen Chong Swee (simplified Chinese: 陈宗瑞; pinyin: Chén ZōngRuì) is a Singaporean watercolourist belonging to the pioneer generation of artists espousing the Nanyang-styled painting unique to Singapore, at the turn of the 20th century. He was also one of the first artists in Singapore to use Chinese ink painting techniques to render scenery and figurative paintings of local and Southeast Asian themes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chen_Chong_Swee





























World (Social) Realist Art (Index of Countries)
This blog page is part of an ongoing project by artist and part-time lecturer Caoimhghin Ó Croidheáin (http://gaelart.net/) to explore Realist / Social Realist art from around the world. The term Realism is used in its broadest sense to include 19th century Realism and Naturalism as well as 20th century Impressionism (which after all was following in the path of Courbet and Millet). Social Realism covers art that seeks to examine the living and working conditions of ordinary people (examples include German Expressionism, American Ashcan School and the Mexican Muralists).

Click here for (Social) Realist Art Definitions, World (Social) Realism and Global Solidarity, Art and Politics, Social Realism in history and Country Index.

Suggestions for appropriate artists from around the world welcome to caoimhghin@yahoo.com.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

(Social) Realism: Iraq




Serwan Baran (1968)

http://www.serwan.com/index.htm

































Ayad Alkadhi (1971)
Ayad Alkadhi an Iraqi artist born in Iraq – lived his life between Iraq, United Arab Emirates and England. He received his Masters in Fine Arts from Tisch School of the Arts of New York University. After moving out of Iraq to seek a more prosperous career, he settled shortly in Amman, Jordan where he had exhibited art works at Orfali Gallery. Later on he had his first one-man show in New Zealand. Additionally, Alkadhi’s work was exhibited in a number of different states in the US as well as being exhibited in Sotheby’s London.

His works can be seen as mostly self portraits where he would depict himself in several situations or scenarios, and it’s quite significant the amount of Arabic calligraphy he incorporates into his artworks. Religious iconography has appeared a number of times in his works, as well as elements which are inspired by major political incidents in Iraq and the sense of connection and belonging to his home country.

http://aalkadhi.com/
http://fann3arabi.wordpress.com/2008/05/

































World (Social) Realist Art (Index of Countries)
This blog page is part of an ongoing project by artist and part-time lecturer Caoimhghin Ó Croidheáin (http://gaelart.net/) to explore Realist / Social Realist art from around the world. The term Realism is used in its broadest sense to include 19th century Realism and Naturalism as well as 20th century Impressionism (which after all was following in the path of Courbet and Millet). Social Realism covers art that seeks to examine the living and working conditions of ordinary people (examples include German Expressionism, American Ashcan School and the Mexican Muralists).

Click here for (Social) Realist Art Definitions, World (Social) Realism and Global Solidarity, Art and Politics, Social Realism in history and Country Index.

Suggestions for appropriate artists from around the world welcome to caoimhghin@yahoo.com.

(Social) Realism: Iran




Imān Maleki (1976)

Imān Maleki (Persian: ایمان ملکی) (born 1976 in Tehran, Iran) is an Iranian Realist painter. Iman Maleki's fascination with painting began as a child. He started taking lessons in painting at the age of fifteen. His first and only teacher in painting was the celebrated Iranian painter Mortezā Kātouziān. His career as a professional painter began during this period. Maleki studied, from 1995, at the Fine Arts Faculty of University of Tehran, from where he graduated in Graphic Design in 1999. Since 1998 he has presented several exhibitions of his paintings. In 2000 Maleki established Ārā Painting Studio (آتلیه نقاشی آرا) where he also teaches painting.

During the Second International Art Renewal Center Salon (TM) Competition in 2005, Maleki was awarded The William Bouguereau Award – Emotion Theme and the Figure for his painting Omens of Hafez (Fāl-e Hāfez) and a Chairman's Choice Award for his other painting A Girl by the Window (Dokhtari Dar Kenār-e Panjareh). Maleki has been married since 2000. Maleki's Dizziness is featured at the Farjam Collection in Dubai at the exhibition Iran Inside Out. He is represented internationally by Artists Advocacy Group, an artists representation firm in Great Falls, VA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iman_Maleki
http://ashreshteh.com/index.php?act=gallery&action=viewgallery&gid=19&method=1&lan=fa
http://www.akademifantasia.org/?p=1478
http://www.imanmaleki.com/





























(Detail, click on image to enlarge)





World (Social) Realist Art (Index of Countries)
This blog page is part of an ongoing project by artist and part-time lecturer Caoimhghin Ó Croidheáin (http://gaelart.net/) to explore Realist / Social Realist art from around the world. The term Realism is used in its broadest sense to include 19th century Realism and Naturalism as well as 20th century Impressionism (which after all was following in the path of Courbet and Millet). Social Realism covers art that seeks to examine the living and working conditions of ordinary people (examples include German Expressionism, American Ashcan School and the Mexican Muralists).

Click here for (Social) Realist Art Definitions, World (Social) Realism and Global Solidarity, Art and Politics, Social Realism in history and Country Index.

Suggestions for appropriate artists from around the world welcome to caoimhghin@yahoo.com.

Friday, May 28, 2010

(Social) Realism: Palestinian Territory




Nasr Abel Aziz Eleyan (1941)

Nasr Abdel Aziz Eleyan was born in Hebron, Palestine in 1941, Nasr grew up in Palestinian refugee camps where he started painting as a child. He studied Fine Arts and Film in Moscow, Baghdad, Cairo and London. Nasr currently lives in Amman, Jordan where he teaches fine art at the University of Jordan. Nasr Abel Aziz Eleyan is a figurative painter whose individual style is concerned with cultural traditions. His paintings depict the rural life of the peasant, and the traditional Palestinian way of life. He simplifies his subjects with simple geometrical lines, creating both harmony and balance.
http://www.ziggy-graphics.com/clients/nasr/main_body.html
























World (Social) Realist Art (Index of Countries)
This blog page is part of an ongoing project by artist and part-time lecturer Caoimhghin Ó Croidheáin (http://gaelart.net/) to explore Realist / Social Realist art from around the world. The term Realism is used in its broadest sense to include 19th century Realism and Naturalism as well as 20th century Impressionism (which after all was following in the path of Courbet and Millet). Social Realism covers art that seeks to examine the living and working conditions of ordinary people (examples include German Expressionism, American Ashcan School and the Mexican Muralists).

Click here for (Social) Realist Art Definitions, World (Social) Realism and Global Solidarity, Art and Politics, Social Realism in history and Country Index.

Suggestions for appropriate artists from around the world welcome to caoimhghin@yahoo.com.

(Social) Realism: Bangladesh




Quamrul Hassan (1921 - 1988)

Quamrul Hassan (Bengali: কামরুল হাসান, 1921 - 1988) was a Bangladeshi artist. Hassan was born in Kolkata, India. In Bangladesh, Hassan's fame as an artist is perhaps only second to that of Zainul Abedin. Hassan is often referred to in Bangladesh as Potua, a word usually associated with folk artists, due to his down to earth style.

Quamrul Hassan chose to give the folk art tradition a breath of life by incorporating modern ideas in it. Hassan was a versatile artist working in practically all media-oil, gouache, watercolors, pastel, etching, woodcut, linocut, pen and pencil. He also worked with woodcuts, specially after the famine of 1974, works that expressed his rage and anger. Quamrul used snakes, jackals and owls to portray the evil in humans, both in his political work and his famine work.

Rural women and their plight is another theme Hassan has repeatedly worked on. His treatment of women emphasize the bond between them, most of his paintings of women are of a group of women, only rarely a solo painting can be found. However, he mixes romanticism with realism; the strong curved lines and the contrasted use of color contribute to a sensuous appeal that blunts the edges of harsh reality.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quamrul_Hassan
http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/HT/H_0082.HTM
http://www.bangladeshtourism.gov.bd/dtls.php?gid=144
http://creativebangladesh.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/img_3559.jpg
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5593/011e.jpg

















Zainul Abedin (1914 – 1976)
Zainul Abedin (Bangla: জয়নুল আবেদিন) (December 29, 1914 – May 28, 1976) was a Bangladesh painter. Like many of his contemporaries, His paintings on the Bengal famine of 1940s is probably his most characteristic work. In Bangladesh, he is referred with honor as Shilpacharya (Great Teacher of the Arts) in Bangladesh. The man-made Great Bengal Famine of 1943 moved Zainul deeply. He created his famine paintings, which, when exhibited in 1944, brought him even more critical acclaim. He was an influential member of the Calcutta Group of progressive artists. Zainul Abedin was involved in all stages of liberation war movement that finally made the creation of Bangladesh possible. He was in the forefront of the cultural movement to re-establish the Bengali identity, marginalised by the Pakistan government.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zainul_Abedin
http://ethikana.com/gallery/painting.htm
http://www.ethikana.com/gallery/painting_files/war.jpg
http://www.sos-arsenic.net/lovingbengal/anser.html





























World (Social) Realist Art (Index of Countries)
This blog page is part of an ongoing project by artist and part-time lecturer Caoimhghin Ó Croidheáin (http://gaelart.net/) to explore Realist / Social Realist art from around the world. The term Realism is used in its broadest sense to include 19th century Realism and Naturalism as well as 20th century Impressionism (which after all was following in the path of Courbet and Millet). Social Realism covers art that seeks to examine the living and working conditions of ordinary people (examples include German Expressionism, American Ashcan School and the Mexican Muralists).

Click here for (Social) Realist Art Definitions, World (Social) Realism and Global Solidarity, Art and Politics, Social Realism in history and Country Index.

Suggestions for appropriate artists from around the world welcome to caoimhghin@yahoo.com.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

(Social) Realism: Nicaragua




Pablo Beteta

Pablo Beteta confiesa que ha vivido para el arte pictórico y su profesión de abogado. Hoy que han transcurrido unos 34 años, Beteta hace una retrospectiva de su quehacer en la pintura moderna, abrazando con pasión el realismo, y el balance que hace es prácticamente positivo. Ha pintado más de 2 mil cuadros, lo que la valido el reconocimiento de intelectuales como Carlos Martínez Rivas y de los artistas más sobresalientes de Nicaragua. Beteta lega a la sociedad nicaragüense un ejemplo de constancia, trabajo ininterrumpido y talento, hecho a pulso cada día. El maná no le cayó del cielo ni la vida le deparó una inteligencia sobrenatural. El talento no es más que la niñez bien formulada.

http://www.grupoese.com.ni/2001/bn/12/06/op2MN1206.htm
http://www.teachingforchange.org/store/masaya
http://www.bcn.gob.ni/cultura/pinacoteca/paginas/pintura9.html












Leonel Cerrato (1947)
Leonel Cerrato nació en 1947 en la comunidad La Almaciguera, Estelí, desde los años 60 estudio en la escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes en Managua bajo las enseñanzas del maestro Rodrigo Peñalba, en el periodo de 1965-70, posteriormente se fue dedicando a la pintura de paisajes nicaragüenses costumbristas. Participó en numerosas exposiciones colectivas y la realización de diferentes murales a nivel nacional e internacional, con amplio reconocimiento para su obra.

http://www.funarte.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=115:valoracion-de-leonel-cerrato&catid=6:boletin-informativo&Itemid=14
http://www.geoimaging.tugraz.at/viktor.kaufmann/Augartenkino.html
http://www.stanford.edu/group/arts/nicaragua/discovery_eng/nicaragua/index.html
http://www3.varesenews.it/blog/labottegadelpittore/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/3d-cerrato1993-festa-sul-lago-del-nicaragua-particolare.jpg
http://www.stanford.edu/group/arts/nicaragua/discovery_eng/art/processdetail.html






























Daniel Pulido
http://www.stanford.edu/group/arts/nicaragua/murals/political/index.html














Further reading:
The Murals of Revolutionary Nicaragua 1979-1992 (Paperback)
by D Kunzle (Author)
In the years following Nicaragua's 1979 Sandinista Revolution, more than three hundred murals were created by Nicaraguan and international artist brigades. David Kunzle was profoundly moved by the aesthetic and political power of these murals, and when he saw that they were being destroyed after the Sandinistas were voted out in 1990, he resolved to document them. This visually exciting, emotionally compelling book is the result of his efforts. Today many of Nicaragua's murals have been obliterated, and Kunzle's book may be the only record of these works. Approximately eighty percent of the murals are reproduced here, many with extensive commentary. Artistic styles from the primitivist to the highly sophisticated are represented, showing themes of literacy, health, family, and always the Revolution. Kunzle outlines the historical conditions in Nicaragua - including U.S. interference - that gave rise to the Revolution and to the murals. He chronicles the politically vindictive destruction of many of the best murals and the rise and fall of Managua's Mural School. Kunzle also refers to other Nicaraguan public media such as billboards and graffiti, the great mural precedent in Mexico, and the more recent attempts at socialist art in Cuba and Chile. Nicaraguan murals became blackboards of the people, a forum for self-image, self-education, and popular autobiography. Kunzle pleads for the restoration of the surviving murals and for the revival of the mural movement, for it is, he says, 'art that belongs to and benefits us all'.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Murals-Revolutionary-Nicaragua-1979-1992/dp/0520081927/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275009001&sr=8-2



World (Social) Realist Art (Index of Countries)
This blog page is part of an ongoing project by artist and part-time lecturer Caoimhghin Ó Croidheáin (http://gaelart.net/) to explore Realist / Social Realist art from around the world. The term Realism is used in its broadest sense to include 19th century Realism and Naturalism as well as 20th century Impressionism (which after all was following in the path of Courbet and Millet). Social Realism covers art that seeks to examine the living and working conditions of ordinary people (examples include German Expressionism, American Ashcan School and the Mexican Muralists).

Click here for (Social) Realist Art Definitions, World (Social) Realism and Global Solidarity, Art and Politics, Social Realism in history and Country Index.

Suggestions for appropriate artists from around the world welcome to caoimhghin@yahoo.com.