I did go to the national gallery just for the small room of ed ruscha paintings - and it was quite amazing seeing them up close after researching them in high school. There is just such a signature and unique way he implements text so simply, against smooth and almost printed-like backgrounds of infrastructure/skies, both of which I am rather interested in.
"Ed Ruscha (1937–) has shaped the way we see the American landscape over the span of his influential six-decade career. Elegant, highly distilled, and often humorous, Ruscha’s work conveys a unique brand of visual American zen,"
"Ruscha’s ‘Course of Empire’ focuses on the industrial buildings of Los Angeles – simple, box-like, utilitarian structures with no pretension to beauty but redolent of economic might and global reach," cr. national gallery
I found more of his work online, and I feel greatly inspired since I have a passion for words as well and have been wondering how to incorporate text into my paintings. I feel they are all very beautiful and poetic, but graphic and postcard-like at the same time:
"Ed Ruscha (1937–) has shaped the way we see the American landscape over the span of his influential six-decade career. Elegant, highly distilled, and often humorous, Ruscha’s work conveys a unique brand of visual American zen,"
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| this image is a zoom in of the original painting, which is the kind of imagery I take photos of when I look at buildings. I would zoom in and take the photo that includes all the information and angles I want. I find it rather beautiful. But I also love the sadness of the whole building as well. I feel Ruscha captures this perfectly even though his paintings appear so simple and almost commercial. But I guess that adds to the sadness. |
I found more of his work online, and I feel greatly inspired since I have a passion for words as well and have been wondering how to incorporate text into my paintings. I feel they are all very beautiful and poetic, but graphic and postcard-like at the same time:
At the same time of researching ed ruscha in high school, I also looked at barbara kruger's work. I also find her work inspiring, though I feel like she has more shock value than ruscha, or at least it feels like her work shouts in your face when rushca's work is a calm tone of voice.
