Artwork: Richard Bledsoe

Fortunato

Richard Bledsoe “Fortunato” oil on canvas 20″ x 16″

Part of a series of literary alcoholics I’m working on-in this case from the Edgar Allan Poe story, “The Cask of Amontillado.”

This is the first oil painting I’ve completed since moving my studio into my house in December of 2012. I actually finished this painting a few weeks ago, I’m finding I’m working more frequently on my oil paintings since they are so easily accessible, and they are progressing quicker.

Commentary: Historical Perspective

I recently posted this on Facebook, attached to a video of Stuckism founder Charles Thomson discussing art history (see video here)
Remodernism founder Charles Thomson discusses the changes happening in the art world, which is of course a harbinger for changes happening in society in general. This is a time of the failure of the “experts.”
The self-absorbed post modern/conceptual art bias of the cultural industries has created a contemporary art bubble, where essentially valueless works exist to pander to creative class shibboleths.
Valuelessness doesn’t refer to price-it means there is no intrinsic human worth in the artifice that is passed off as art all around us. It explains why visual art is so marginalized in our current culture-what the “experts” present fail to fulfill the human need for art. They attempt to substitute an intellectual approximation of art. And no one outside of their echo chamber is interested.
But this is why I’m optimistic about the future of art. The monopoly of thought is being broken. Individuals are creating and promoting work that does not cater to the establishment expectations for art, and does not rely on the official channels of distribution. We don’t need or want their approval-they’ve been dead wrong for decades.
The current culture of nihlism, aloofness, and conformity encouraged by elitists cannot endure historical perspective. Remodernism presents the alternative of positive creation.

Genres: Symbolism

An overview of Symbolist Art

Before I found a contemporary guiding philosophy in Remodernism, I recognized in my work shared concerns with the Symbolist painters of the late 1800s-early 1900s.

The spiritual aspects of light, darkness and color. Acceptance of gods, monsters and the grotesque as worthy explorations for art. A mystical sense of purpose. Deep order. Intense emotions. All these elements continue in my work.

Remodernism as a force of integration of all previous eras of modern art supports my continued explorations.