What do you think of when you think about Pablo Picasso?
I think about Guernica and those funky Cubist pieces.
I frankly didn’t know that much about his work, but was happy to learn more about this influential artist. I was lucky enough to attend a guided tour of the exhibit “The Mystery of Picasso’s Creative Process: the Art of Printmaking” and wanted to share this experience with you.
Here are a few fun facts:
- Picasso didn’t sign all of his works, especially the pieces he kept for himself (hey I knew I drew this! Why do I have to sign it?!)
- Several of Picasso’s lithographs are almost a backwards progression – a realistic bull is first designed , but evolves into a very abstract bull
- Lithography was a new and fascinating medium for Picasso because he could adjust the lithograph plates and the art itself could evolve
- Picasso didn’t title all of his works so some lithograph prints from the same series may have two different names!
- Linocuts are similar to lithographs, but are actually cut plates from linoleum
At first, I thought this was Picasso in a wheel chair. But he is painting from a rocking chair (unsteady, but probably comfortable!)
I was really fascinated by how his prints evolved.
I love all of the color in this portrait of his wife, Jacqueline Roque “Lady with a Hat”. Does this represent all of the passion and love he felt for her? It also shows he he experimented and layered in different colors as his ideas evolved (though the nose was always yellow).
Some of the plates used were also displayed so you can see how a plate translated to the final piece.
It was really interesting to see the etching in linoleum.
I liked exploring STPI itself (Singapore Tyler Print Institute), which celebrates contemporary art in print and paper. They also have artists in residence and superior paper making facilities as well as staff to assist artists in creating new work.
P.S. Aren’t those wedges crazy for an art gallery stroll? But hey, if you can work it, work it.
The Picasso exhibit runs through 24 August and admission is free!
SINGAPORE TYLER PRINT INSTITUTE
41 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236
His creations did evolve. That is so amazing. I didn’t know that about his works. Learned something new! Thanks girl.
That’s so cool. I read that Picasso learned drawing by copying famous works over and over.
I love Picasso…one of my favourites 🙂 I loved his way of creating. This was super, I would have loved to have been there :)) xx
Haha! I LOVE those wedges – the architectural aesthetic is so perf for the artistic setting! 😀
Those wedges really were awesome! Of course I had to take a picture of them!
I love it when you actually get to learn about what you are seeing and have something to take away from the experience. it makes it far more memorable than if you just wandered through the muesuem on your own.
Lydia, I thought the same thing! You really do learn so much more when you are hearing about it from an expert as opposed to just wandering into an exhibit (what I usually do!)
i am so glad you loved the exhibition! picasso is one of the most prolific artists EVER! it is staggering to learn how much art he produced. seriously! so much! and so much of it is so great.
years ago i took a printmaking class. the lino cut process was one of my favorites. we had linoleum boards that we ironed to make them soft. and then we cut in to them with a blade. when the linoleum is warm and soft, it is easy to cut — like a hot knife in butter. it was fun. really, really fun. part of me would like to try it again!
Yes it was so cool to learn more about Picasso’s range of work.
That is so cool that you have done linocut art! I had never heard of it before going to this exhibit!
You have a great creative eye and I bet you’d produce some cool work. I hope you get to another linocut class!
Wow this exhibition looks fantastic! Thanks for the heads up, I must head over while it’s still on, love a bit of Picasso.
ahhh! i was hoping you’d share this. thank you!!