Jeep (after van Gogh and van Gogh)
Pairings:
Postman Joseph Roulin and Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
Image of a classic Jeep automobile
Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 30" x 37"
Artist's Insights:
Q. You did this painting in 1983. It is part of the Art Wheels Series, but you did not pick up on this concept in earnest until 1999. Can you comment on this?
A. I have no answer to that question. At the time, I had no motivation to continue to paint vehicles. I do recall going to MOMA much earlier and viewing an exhibit on automobile design. In the exhibit, the Jeep was praised as an example of good design. Of course, growing up during WWII, I was exposed to pictures of the Jeep and, later, as a soldier, I certainly came in contact with them. it was part of my visual heritage for sure. I might add that the van Gogh painting of the Postman had a permanent place at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts where I studied for eight years. it was just as much a part of my visual heritage as the Jeep was.
Q. It is also interesting that you paired the Jeep with, not one van Gogh, but two of them. Had you ever done this before in your appropriation?
A. Not that I recalled at the time. In fact when I titled the painting, it did not occur to me to mention Van Gogh twice. It is only when asked this question about the painting that I realized the dual attribution and amended the title.
Print options available.
Postman Joseph Roulin and Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
Image of a classic Jeep automobile
Acrylic on canvas
Dimensions: 30" x 37"
Artist's Insights:
Q. You did this painting in 1983. It is part of the Art Wheels Series, but you did not pick up on this concept in earnest until 1999. Can you comment on this?
A. I have no answer to that question. At the time, I had no motivation to continue to paint vehicles. I do recall going to MOMA much earlier and viewing an exhibit on automobile design. In the exhibit, the Jeep was praised as an example of good design. Of course, growing up during WWII, I was exposed to pictures of the Jeep and, later, as a soldier, I certainly came in contact with them. it was part of my visual heritage for sure. I might add that the van Gogh painting of the Postman had a permanent place at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts where I studied for eight years. it was just as much a part of my visual heritage as the Jeep was.
Q. It is also interesting that you paired the Jeep with, not one van Gogh, but two of them. Had you ever done this before in your appropriation?
A. Not that I recalled at the time. In fact when I titled the painting, it did not occur to me to mention Van Gogh twice. It is only when asked this question about the painting that I realized the dual attribution and amended the title.
Print options available.