[Previous entry: "Back in Dubai"] [Next entry: "Zorn"]
09/18/2008: "Alberto Sughi, That need of reconstructing the meaning of one’s own work."
Although I have already done so in previous blogs usually I would prefer not to talk about my paintings, because the meaning that I attach to them is then transformed over time in the eyes of the spectator, into the thoughts of those who imagine something that the painter has not conceived, but which is still a perfectly legitimate way of interpreting the painting. Despite this, since I have recently spent a good deal of time reconstructing the meaning of my work (a reasonable task you will probably agree for an artist who will be eighty very soon) in this blog I will describe how almost twenty years ago I came to create a group of paintings (reproduced here alongside the blog) which I consider quite significant to understanding not only how my own work but also how a painting is born and how from this others may unexpectedly come into being.
In 1992, or the years before, there was the implosion of the Soviet Union and the end of hope for an ideology that had affected the whole first half of this century and a conspicuous portion of the second half. Many people had believed in this ideology, the first great socialist revolution of the world. This idea of revolution was common place, the home of the thoughts, justice, and ideas that a great revolution promises. However, we know that all revolutions are unfortunately destined to be betrayed and, in the end, lead to corruption, fear and abandonment by the very people who had believed in them. And then I imagined a painting in red like the red flag of Communism, where the star is still visible, but everything is smashed and distorted. To create this painting I examined the painting of De Kooning in depth, because it seemed to me that, through those broken and continuous structures, I could more profoundly express the significance of this crisis. A man in the foreground, like a black silhouette, is leaving with a pair of suitcases, and the title is perhaps an indication to help understand the meaning.
Going where? I immediately made another painting in this cycle still concerned with the same problem: Going where? Goodbye to the red house which also has writing going across the top of the house, in almost Cyrillic characters. Here, too, a man with suitcases is leaving this house, which is, perhaps, the house of his hopes and dreams. Then the subject became dilated and no longer concerned the fall, the implosion of Communism, but the destiny of man. So then, immediately afterwards, or, in some cases, even before this painting, I painted green paintings with men in a landscape or looking down from a terrace, and who seem to be lost in contemplation, all entitled Going where?, almost as though Man is in a critical, temporary situation and is searching for an identity inside a labyrinth, represented in this case by the natural world. This could have been a great moment, a problem set out before modern Man that he has to resolve, but as to how, that is a mystery.
Then I made a very large painting, two meters by two meters thirty-five, entitled The game, more fantastic, or rather, more mysterious, in which I borrowed from Cézanne the silhouette of the two card players, while on the right a man looks as if he wants to know how this game is going to end. It is a red painting which, even if the characters’ silhouettes were not so clear, could be exhibited just for its background, almost like an abstract painting.
Alberto Sughi
For more info on Alberto Sughi see. www.albertosughi.com
Replies: 11 Comments
on Tuesday, October 14th, how to draw said
I will have to show this blog post to some of my art students, it is a good perspective how a painting is "born", insightful
on Sunday, September 28th, K McCoy said
Super paintings! The colours you use and the abstraction of the shapes give a dreamlike quality to them.
It was interesting to read your thoughts on the artworks.
on Tuesday, September 23rd, Brad Michael Moore said
RingraziarLa da noi tutti, Alberto!
on Monday, September 22nd, alberto sughi said
Vorrei ringraziare tutti, da Jose', che da tempo, se non sbaglio condivide molti aspetti del mio lavoro, a Brad Michael, che non mi aspettavo potesse cosi' velocemente rispondermi in italiano... ma il mio ringraziamneto va veramente poi a tutti. Siete tutti molto bravi e generosi con me e la generosita' e' sempre uno dei regali piu' belli che si possano ricevere.
A presto, buon lavoro, Alberto
on Sunday, September 21st, Opaque Desination said
Astounding blog you have there!
I'm speechless!
Please if you have time it would be an honor to have you visiting my blog on Saturday, September 20th, ninapaints said
Love your combining strong color with figures and the touch of cubism. I'm a portrait painter, lots of straightforward stuff for commission work. I paint what the customer wants, but would like to expand my horizon before I get too much older. Your work is very inspiring! God bless,
on Friday, September 19th, Ellen said
Alberto-
How fascinating to understand your thought processes. The paintings are magnificent and you are an incredible thinker. So even with unrest and anxiety, beauty can flourish.
on Friday, September 19th, Mark said
Only at fifty five I am doing much the same as to reconstructing the meaning to my work, finding that though it is heading once again in a more realistic direction it is much deeper in meaning.
I must say I find 'Andare Dove' to be my favorite of those I see here but all are wonderful.
on Thursday, September 18th, Brad Michael Moore said
L'Alberto, con le sue linee di apertura - ho balbettato sopra la lettura del riposo. Dovrei piacere appena il lavoro? Comunque, questi pezzi mi hanno colpito molto vicino al mio immaginare (soprattutto il primo tre). Sono contento che erano socialmente motivati, e che lei ha diviso questo con noi. È uni artisti di questione opportuni devono considerare a alcuno punto nei loro viveri - se sono dei cercatori di verità, e gli osservatori di ciò che cambia le realtà in cui vivono. Sinceramente, Brad Michael Moore
Alberto, with your opening lines - I stuttered over reading the rest. Should I just enjoy the work? However, these pieces struck me very close to my imagining (especially the first three). I am glad they were socially motivated, and that you shared this with us. It is a timely matter artists must consider at some point in their lives - if they are seekers of truth, and observers of what changes the realities in which they live.
Sincerely, Brad Michael Moore
on Thursday, September 18th, Kelly Borsheim said
Hello and thank you. I find these painted colors and shapes very interesting despite the thoughts behind the work, although those interested me as well. sono curiosa, though, if a viewer, with or without a date and known world context, have guessed the pattern in your thoughts?
I am not sure that this is so important because these paintings definitely evoke emotion, probably very consistent with your communications. At the moment I am not sure what I am thinking or trying to put into words, but it is along the lines of somehow the more personal / honest thoughts and explorations become the most universal expressions.
complimenti!
on Thursday, September 18th, josé said
Alberto, Beautiful paintings and very interesting to read your discription of the process of their becoming. Auguri, josé
