Traditional structure & human fragility
A young bride and groom are to be married. They are cloaked in traditional garments (to me their fashion looks to be from China's late Qing Dynasty, which ended well over a century ago). The bride and groom's surreal cracked glaze porcelain faces show their inner fragility as they start a family together.
Artist: Drew Tal (Israel)
Title: Porcelain Promises, 2009
These prints were displayed at Louisville's 21C Museum Hotel. I must say that the aluminum boards that they are printed on make these images and their colors pop. The metal medium also adds a modern look to a traditional but surreal image.
When I look at these images, history comes flooding to mind. I think of the Chinese couples who were married at the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911. I've met a few in my day and listened to their horrendous stories. The next six decades of events in China would make holding on to their family and their own lives difficult — e.g. social decay, foreign occupation, Civil War, World War II, the Communist Revolution, the Great Leap Forward. Many, many families were torn asunder by outward events.
Although I find myself drifting to thoughts of these historical events, this painting is not about couples of the Qing Dynasty. It is much bigger. I think it is an inward journey. It's really about all couples. Now.
Traditional structure & human fragility
A young bride and groom are to be married. They are cloaked in traditional garments (to me their fashion looks to be from China's late Qing Dynasty, which ended well over a century ago). The bride and groom's surreal cracked glaze porcelain faces show their inner fragility as they start a family together.
Artist: Drew Tal (Israel)
Title: Porcelain Promises, 2009
These prints were displayed at Louisville's 21C Museum Hotel. I must say that the aluminum boards that they are printed on make these images and their colors pop. The metal medium also adds a modern look to a traditional but surreal image.
When I look at these images, history comes flooding to mind. I think of the Chinese couples who were married at the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911. I've met a few in my day and listened to their horrendous stories. The next six decades of events in China would make holding on to their family and their own lives difficult — e.g. social decay, foreign occupation, Civil War, World War II, the Communist Revolution, the Great Leap Forward. Many, many families were torn asunder by outward events.
Although I find myself drifting to thoughts of these historical events, this painting is not about couples of the Qing Dynasty. It is much bigger. I think it is an inward journey. It's really about all couples. Now.