Friday, 15 January 2016

Social Realism

Social realism was an international art movement, it refers to the work of painters, printmakers, photographers and film makers who draw attention to the everyday conditions of the working class and the poor. 
While the movement's characteristics vary from nation to nation, it almost always utilises a form of descriptive or critical realism. 

This became an important art movement during the Great Depression in the United States in the 1930's. 

Ben Shahn

Shahn was an Lithuanian born American artist. He was best known for his works of social realism. 
Shahn mixed different genres of art. His body of art is distinctive for its lack of traditional landscapes, still lifes, and portraits Shahn used both expressive and precise visual languages, which he coalesced through the consistency of his authoritative line.

His background in lithography contributed to his detail-oriented look Shahn is also noted for his use of unique symbolism, which is often compared to the imagery in Paul Klee's drawings. While Shahn's "love for exactitude" is apparent in his graphics, so too is his creativity. In fact, many of his paintings are inventive adaptations of his photography. 

         Freedom Of The Press 1939

              McCarthy Peace 1968

              Register To Vote 1946

John Augustus Walker

Walker was a well known Alabama artist of the Depression era. 
His paintings reflect a passion for bright colours, heavy dark outlines and painterly brushwork characterized both his commercial and public works. Walker’s preferred subject matter ranged from Mardi Gras, fantasy and historical themes to landscapes and portraiture. 


Maxine Albro

Albro was an American painter, muralist, lithographer, mosaic artist, and sculptor. She was one of America's leading female artists, and one of the few women commissioned under the New Deal's Federal Art Project. 

Albro's artistic style is described as "clean, bright and clear with the strong rounded forms of this era, often depicting the women of Mexico, in particular those of the Tehuantepec region in Oaxaca. 
Albro was most recognized for her frescoes and her characteristic treatment of Mexican and Spanish subject matter. The influence of Mexican art is visible throughout her paintings, murals and lithographs. 

                     Mexico - 1933

                    California - 1934

No comments:

Post a Comment