The World Beyond BetterMost > The Culture Tent
Last January, world famous Toronto gay artist Steve Walker died at 50
Aloysius J. Gleek:
--- Quote from: Sason on May 19, 2012, 06:42:23 am ---Thank you so much for all these posts of his work, John.
I don't think I've ever heard of him before. What a talented artist he was!
His pictures are indeed very beautiful and touching. Even though most of them depict two people together, to me they convey a sense of sadness, loneliness and melancholy.
The one that touched my heart the most, is the painting of the little boy with his doll.
--- End quote ---
Thanks, Sonja. I don't know if it is, but I rather think the little boy with his doll was meant to represent Walker himself.
I am probably over reaching, but I think (maybe ironically?) that Walker was also representing himself as the child in this painting--
--is it a stretch to say that the boy is looking at the right-hand figure in the painting, the figure which is sad--or ashamed?
Sason:
--- Quote from: Aloysius J. Gleek on May 19, 2012, 07:31:51 am ---
Thanks, Sonja. I don't know if it is, but I rather think it is (at least) meant to represent Walker himself.
I probably am over reaching, but I think (maybe ironically?) that Walker was also representing himself as the child in this painting--
--- End quote ---
Oh, I didn't think of that!
I was thinking this is how he wishes his paintings would be received by the general public: like any painting in any gallery where any people would admire it.
Monika:
I really find his work beautiful and interesting. There is a stark realism about his paintings and they all strike me as very intimite. They remind me about the line in Brokeback "...lets a panel of the dream slide forward."
I really would like to own a reproduction of the Bareback Mountain painting. It´s so understated - so Brokeback-ish.
Aloysius J. Gleek:
--- Quote from: Aloysius J. Gleek on May 18, 2012, 09:08:26 pm ---As a self taught artist, Walker only began painting after a trip to Europe when he was 25 years old. During the trip, he spent much of his time in Europe touring the great galleries and museums. In his words it was the first time he was exposed to great painting, and the first time he recognized the potential power of the art form. "I was moved by something that I was capable of doing," he said. His first paintings were done in a somewhat secretive way, as he had no intention of exhibiting or selling, and had no aspirations of becoming a professional artist.
--- End quote ---
This is no stretch--you can see that the portrait here (from the back) is obviously himself (better if you click to see the original in his gallery in his site)--
--- Quote from: Aloysius J. Gleek on May 18, 2012, 09:34:03 pm ---
--- End quote ---
But this one is, maybe, just representational--
--- Quote from: Aloysius J. Gleek on May 18, 2012, 09:08:26 pm ---Drawing was one of Steve Walker's earliest childhood memories. He recollected drawing pictures from about the age of three or four years old.
--- End quote ---
Aloysius J. Gleek:
--- Quote from: Sason on May 19, 2012, 07:40:30 am ---Oh, I didn't think of that!
I was thinking this is how he wishes his paintings would be received by the general public: like any painting in any gallery where any people would admire it.
--- End quote ---
--is it a stretch to say that the boy is looking at the right-hand figure in the painting, the figure which is sad--or ashamed?
--and that the 'father' is looking at the left-hand figure, which is trying to tentatively comfort--?
--and the 'mother' is--holding back----Comfort? Judgment?
As 'beautiful' as his paintings are, they are always--thoughtful. Questioning.
And, of course, almost always sad.
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