Art Apprecation - Star cycle, 1976 - Donald Laycock

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Art Appreciation Assignment 2

Contemporary Piece 1

Title: star cycle, 1976

Artist: Donald Laycock

1. This painting is easily identified by the title to be the cycle of stars. However, though the painting could be considered abstract, most people would be able to identify what the picture is of.

2. Although the main object in this picture is bright, the mood of the painting has an overall feeling of darkness. It has a desolate, dark mood because the majority of it is just blank grey. Which of course makes the brightness of the large star more powerful, however still overcome by its surroundings.

3. This person obviously appreciated the stars. He was inspired by their simplicity and yet amazing beauty. This the reason for him to make the painting abstract – he is making a  statement about the simplest things being beautiful.

4. This is not mentioned…

5.  This work is abstract-expressionism. Laycock manages to make his objects look realistic yet abstract: He tends to set out his paintings in an abstract manor, however his objects or focal points have a realistic quality in them. He was one of the first Australian painters to be influenced by American abstract-expressionism. He responded greatly to artists like Hans Hoffman and Mark Rothko. He admired their ability to create a firm and imposing image.

6. I think the artist’s aim (like I mentioned in Q3) was to make a statement about the simplicity of nature and paint it in this same simple way!

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7. This painting is black and white, if it was in colour it would defeat the artist’s purpose: simplicity.

  

Contemporary Piece2

Title: Falling, 1976

Artist: Marie McMahon

1.  The main subject of this picture is a little girl in a wedding dress.

2. The mood of the painting could easily be judged by the old fashioned drawing of the little child, however the Bold and Large lettering at the top contradicts her somewhat innocent ordinary figure, giving the painting an ...

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