Niki de Saint-Phalle (1930-2002)
'Les Nanas' and 'Three graces'
When I think of 'graces', the instant image I come up with is women like hollywood stars: women who are slim and pretty. In this art piece, however, three women who are not slim has been called 'graces'. Although they are not slim, they still look gorgeous and the name 'three graces' really suits them. They look happy and delighted as they are in the shape like if they are dancing. The body colours seems like they represent different races, implying that every women are beautiful no matter which race they are.
In general, women are sensitive about their body shape and their weight. Coming from the country which people are a bit obsessed with appearance, I also have thought that fat bodies do not look good. However, looking at this art pieces, I thought they look gorgeous even though they are not skinny.
When I think of 'graces', the instant image I come up with is women like hollywood stars: women who are slim and pretty. In this art piece, however, three women who are not slim has been called 'graces'. Although they are not slim, they still look gorgeous and the name 'three graces' really suits them. They look happy and delighted as they are in the shape like if they are dancing. The body colours seems like they represent different races, implying that every women are beautiful no matter which race they are.
In general, women are sensitive about their body shape and their weight. Coming from the country which people are a bit obsessed with appearance, I also have thought that fat bodies do not look good. However, looking at this art pieces, I thought they look gorgeous even though they are not skinny.
Ron Mueck
What is really amazing about these artwork is that they look so real. Every single part of these work are so detail that they even look alive. They look like they are going to breathe and move anytime soon. I think the huge size of these artwork helped the artist to apply more detailed touch. Among these artwork, I like the woman in bed the most. She doesn't just look real but her gesture and facial expression looks like she is deeply thinking about something. Maybe about her son who got in trouble, or her husband who she had argument yesterday.
Louise Bourgeois - St Sebastienne, 2002
When I saw this artwork during the lecture, the woman looks so soft, gentle, and kind like a mother as it is made out of fabric. However, the arrows that are shot at her body are metal and this scene makes quite a contrast. I think the artist intentionally made the contrast and it really made the message clear.
According to Wikipedia, "St Sebastienne (died c. 288) was an early Christian saint and martyr. According to Christian belief, he was killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. He is commonly depicted in art and literature tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows. "
I am not sure why the artist made the body to look like a female body but my guess is that he did it to make the contrast even more extreme by making it female body so that it looks softer.
According to Wikipedia, "St Sebastienne (died c. 288) was an early Christian saint and martyr. According to Christian belief, he was killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. He is commonly depicted in art and literature tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows. "
I am not sure why the artist made the body to look like a female body but my guess is that he did it to make the contrast even more extreme by making it female body so that it looks softer.