Thursday, February 11, 2016

Brett Whiteley's American Dream, American Nightmare...



The newly restored American Dream American Nightmare by Australian avant-garde artist Brett Whiteley comprises 18 panels made up of many politically motivated details, some you can see in collage below. Whiteley’s work 'is a dynamic visual summation of his experiences in America, that charts his initial passion for the place, his intense responses to the politics and culture, and his powerful desire to leave it all behind. It is therefore a meditation on the crumbling of Whiteley own romantic dream of what America might offer him and a reflection on a society torn apart by its involvement in the Vietnam war and the assassinations of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Martin Luther King'...


Some of the other works in the collection like the beautifully carved motorcycle below are not quite what they seem, if you're interested you will have to pull it in to read the details. Politics and religion are tricky subjects, it's a bit like when you have a good old moan about a sibling, well that's ok.. but if someone else does.. then that's very much not ok right :) subjects best left well alone! Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe...




27 comments:

  1. Vivid work- like something out of a dream. The last image is particularly effective.

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  2. Some powerful material here! I have a feeling I'd agree with many of his conclusions. I'd love to see this in person and be able to spend some time close up and personal with his artwork.

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  3. I also felt that some of the impressions and art were very powerful. Wonderful artwork! PS. I think I have "my groove back again and will be posting more regularly. Thanks for being so faithful about visiting.

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  4. There is some powerful work going on here and like Lowell, I have a feeling I would agree with much of his thoughts. That motorcycle really resonates with me. This must have been an interesting exhibit to see in person.

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  5. Excellent artwork. Thought provoking for sure.

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  6. You would need a bit of time to study all the images in that mural, Grace!

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  7. That's rather powerful stuff. But the seagull?

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  8. It's a beautiful nightmare! Arianna

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  10. My mother taught me that if I can't say anything nice about something, not to say anything at all.

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  11. What would have Whiteley gone on to create? This is a really good work of his. I agree, complaining about the family is fine for family members but look out when an outsider does it.

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  12. Lovely pictures Grace, I find the work itself a little disturbing but then I expect art should provoke some form of emotion..

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  13. Disturbing conclusion, but that's Art, mon Ami

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  14. I agree with Lowell and Sharon. I would love to spend some time there in person too so I could really get a better feel for the work.

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  15. Looks like a thought provoking exhibition.

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  16. I itch to add a bit of a scribble on the mural! ;) Enjoy the cooler weather, keep well, safe & take care out there.

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  17. Hi Grace! Re your comment on Ocala: I'd bet they are a long-married couple who felt comfy enough to sit together and do their own thing. :)

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  18. Looks like an interesting exhibition with a message.

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  19. That´s a very, very good saying with the siblings, Grace, LOL.
    Only yesterday I said to my colleagues after Bro "shortly" called, "little brothers, always chew your ear off" - DARE someone say anything nasty about Bro, I´d tell him off! :-)
    I haven´t been to the US yet, but some day I wanna go.

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  20. What a great exhibit, Grace, and terrific captures as always!! Sorry to be so late to visit your blog!!! It's been a really busy week here in Oregon!! I hope you have a lovely weekend!! Enjoy!!

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  21. Tricky indeed, but oh so interesting and powerful at the same time. I like the bird looking in too!

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  22. You portray this exhibit will care, Grace. Not sure if it is my sort of thing.

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  23. We are lucky enough to have a full registered print copy of the American dream it’s beautiful, thought provoking and very inspiring, you can spend hours studying the prints each telling there own story.

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