Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNew Yorker cover, "Election Results," by Kadir Nelson:
Were near the close of a year that hosted a global pandemic, a spate of wildfires, a national movement for racial justice, and perhaps the most dreaded election in memory. But Kadir Nelson captures, in his latest cover, some of the hope that has crept onto the scene. We recently spoke to the artist about the image and his dreams for the future.
You paint some scenes with multiple characters and others, like this one, with lone figures. What are the constraints when an image is built on just one character?
Whats most important is communicating the feeling behind the image, and, in this instance, less is more. The sole figure forces the viewer to focus on the idea that Im trying to convey. That idea is about hope and promise, but its also about workthe work it took to achieve the results of this election, and the work well have to do in the months and years to come. The blue iris flower in the girls hair represents hope, and her rolled-up sleeves gesture to the work that needs to be done.
You use the same medium, oil paint, that painters have used for centuries. Which era in art history most inspires you? And why do you draw from classical paintings, rather than from more contemporary sources?
Im very inspired by art from ancient Egypt, the Renaissance, and the early-twentieth-century period in Europe and America. Im interested in symbolism and fine craftsmanship, which is perhaps why I gravitate toward the classic. But Im eager to see where contemporary art will go, as so many new artists are coming of age during these challenging times.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2020-11-23
You paint some scenes with multiple characters and others, like this one, with lone figures. What are the constraints when an image is built on just one character?
Whats most important is communicating the feeling behind the image, and, in this instance, less is more. The sole figure forces the viewer to focus on the idea that Im trying to convey. That idea is about hope and promise, but its also about workthe work it took to achieve the results of this election, and the work well have to do in the months and years to come. The blue iris flower in the girls hair represents hope, and her rolled-up sleeves gesture to the work that needs to be done.
You use the same medium, oil paint, that painters have used for centuries. Which era in art history most inspires you? And why do you draw from classical paintings, rather than from more contemporary sources?
Im very inspired by art from ancient Egypt, the Renaissance, and the early-twentieth-century period in Europe and America. Im interested in symbolism and fine craftsmanship, which is perhaps why I gravitate toward the classic. But Im eager to see where contemporary art will go, as so many new artists are coming of age during these challenging times.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cover-story/cover-story-2020-11-23
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
16 replies, 7620 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (124)
ReplyReply to this post
16 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
New Yorker cover, "Election Results," by Kadir Nelson: (Original Post)
demmiblue
Nov 2020
OP
Eyeball_Kid
(7,434 posts)1. Beautiful. n/t
iluvtennis
(19,870 posts)5. +1. nt
Botany
(70,571 posts)2. Black Live Matter
n/t
BobTheSubgenius
(11,564 posts)3. What a talent!!!
That painting is just beautiful.
crickets
(25,983 posts)4. Lovely depiction of hope. nt
Barbara2423
(460 posts)6. Love it.
Black Lives Matter and all marchers for equality should carry the American flag, because they are Americans too!!
irisblue
(33,020 posts)7. The smile and the blue flower got me right in the feels
cp
(6,653 posts)8. Beautiful!
Thank you.
Blue Owl
(50,490 posts)9. K&R
Gives one hope for the future of this country...
calimary
(81,443 posts)10. Hope indeed.
Hope in our artists. Hope in our youth. Hope in our girls. Hope in our country.
panader0
(25,816 posts)12. Thank you Joe Biden for picking Kamala Harris as VP.
Girls have a role model, especially young Black girls.
LakeArenal
(28,837 posts)14. She looks like the girl having the "drum off" with Dave Grohl
She is very talented as well!!!!
Wednesdays
(17,402 posts)15. The future of America
It will no longer be a country belonging to old white men. Rather, more to people of color, younger, and more female.
Hermit-The-Prog
(33,409 posts)16. There's pride and determination in that face.