Freedom Of Speech

Freedom of Speech. Celebrating democracy. In this work I used series of geometric patterns to create figurative impression. There is both... more

by Alexis Feyou de Happy

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Price

Not Specified

Dimensions

27.000 x 36.000 inches

Title

Freedom Of Speech

Artist

Alexis Feyou de Happy

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

Freedom of Speech. Celebrating democracy. In this work I used series of geometric patterns to create figurative impression. There is both cubistic and naturalistic influences. The work however was inspired by a piece of African art that I saw in Affrika, a gallery in Washington DC back in the eighties. I asked the owner Mrs Mona Gavignan if I could make a sketch of her piece. She was kind enough to allow me the opportunity and I am deeply grateful that she did. It could be said that the painting imposed itself to me since I did not know then that I was going to pay tribute democracy.
The brush strokes are delicates yet precise. I use two dominant colors to create infinite variants simulating Heaven and the abyss. The idea is to show the powerful influence of speech in the cycle of life. Democracy was very much in my mind indeed.
Speech has both religious and political significance: “In the beginning was the word!” It is also the foundation of democracy. The idea of journalism as safeguard for democracy finds its place here. Art lovers and Art buyers will recognize symbolic references to important artist of the 20th century abstract painters like Joseph Albert, William Baziotes or Karel Apel. I must say however that one of my strong influences was my friend late John Biggers that I met in Texas in 1987.
The painting has otherwise been compared to Salvador Dali though here stylization takes precedence underlying african classical period in statuary. Notice also dominant symbolism: sun, human figure, Heaven and Sea and the gate to freedom not withstanding the face with distorted lips showing the tragedy of dictatorship. The bold colors are also characteristic of the style. There is a canonical dimension. This finds its origin in antiquity where symbolism took precedence in artistic expression. One would be charmed however by the sullen cubistic murmur, the vibrance of tonality, the slight brush stroke.

A quintessential art of the twentieth century Freedom of Speech belongs to the early oil period of this artist.

Uploaded

December 1st, 2011