Conclusion

As I went through the process of picking out art works and trying to connect them all by theme, I realized how much work is really put into these galleries.  It is not that easy to try to define a piece of art by just one characteristic, and many of these pieces have extensive characteristics that could be addressed as well.  I realized that every artist is different and their ideas of topics vary as well.  No two artists think alike, just as there are no two people exactly alike. 

This project was difficult for me because I was not sure exactly how I should find art related to the theme that I chose.  It was hard because I knew that everybody has a different idea of what freedom is and I was not sure if I could present it in a way that people would agree with.  However, once I got started it became easier.  I realized during this process that curator's must be extremely artistic and flexible, I think.  It must be a very demanding job to try to place each piece in a certain category and to present these works in a way that the audience could appreciate. 

I found it easier to try to connect the work by the artists to my chosen theme, but it did take a while to find art to fit my ideas of my theme.  I wanted to choose pieces that I felt represented freedom, but I also hoped that others would be able to relate to the representation of freedom as well.

Bartholdi, Eiffel, & Hunt

STATUE OF LIBERTY



 

•  Bartholdi, Eiffel, & Hunt
• "Statue of Liberty"
• Made of copper and wrought iron
• 305'1" from the pedestal to the torch, and 151'1" from the base of the actual statue to the torch
• 1886

Auguste Bartholdi was a French sculptor who designed the Statue of Liberty in 1870 based on an idea by Edouard Laboulaye, a French anti-slavery activist. He extensively studied art, sculpture, and architecture. 

Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel was the French architect and structural engineer who designed the internal support of the Statue of Liberty.  His most famous work is the Eiffel Tower.

Richard Morris Hunt was a famous American architect who designed the pedestal under the statues feet.  Other works by Hunt include The New York Tribune Building, The Lenox Library, and the Administration Building of the World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago.  He founded the American Institute for Architects in 1857.

"The Statue of Liberty is more than a monument; she is a beloved friend and a living symbol of freedom to millions of people worldwide."- Statue of Liberty Exhibit Text

The Statue of Liberty was assembled in Paris in 1881-1884. After it was presented to US Minister to France, Levi. P. Morton, it was disassembled and shipped to the United States.  It was then reassembled on Bedloe's Island and completely finished by 1886.

The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom to all.  I chose it as part of my collection because it signifies to everybody the belief in freedom. 

Elisheva Nesis

FREEDOM OF CHOICE

• Elisheva Nesis
• "Freedom of Choice"
• Acrylic on canvas
• 50 x 60 cm
• 2011

Elisheva Nesis studied fine art in Russia at Stavropol Art School, P. Gorban's Studio and at the Betsalel Academy of Fine Arts in Israel.  She has a M.A. Degree in writing from the Moscow Literature Institute and a D.M. Degree in psychiatry from Stavropol Medical Academy.  She is part of the Israel Professional Artists Association.  She has sold over 200 paintings to collectors all over the world.

"My main interest is looking for signs of mysteries in our life and studying evidences of their penetrations into the real world." -  Elisheva Nesis

This painting is is from a series that is labeled "To Be Strange" and the artist dedicated it "to the borderland between boring norm and social aggression."

This piece is interesting to me in that it represents "wearing different hats."  I think that all of us from time in a sense put on different hats for different situations.  We represent ourselves in different ways depending on who we are trying to relate to.  This piece reminds me that there is freedom in how we choose to represent ourselves. 

Michelangelo

THE PIETA

• Michelangelo
• The Pieta
• Marble sculpture
• 174 x 195 cm
• 1498-1499

Michelangelo was born in 1475 in Caprese, Italy.  He was an architect, painter, sculpture, and poet.  He is best known as an artist of Italian Renaissance.

"With my wet-nurse's milk, I sucked in the hammer and chisels I use for my statues" -Michelangelo

"The sculpture is unique in many ways, including the treatment given to the subject by the artist by not highlighting death and suffering, but treating it as 'the communion between man and God by the sanctification through Christ" - Krishna

The Pieta was originally commissioned for French cardinal Jean de Billheres funeral monument and it was originally placed at the Chapel of Santa Petronilla.  The chapel was destroyed and replaced by Donato Bramante, an Italian architect who designed St. Peter's Basilica.  The sculpture was moved into St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City where it is still today. 

Religion plays such an important role in many people's lives, and for many people it gives them a sense of freedom.  I chose this piece because I felt that it represented freedom through Christ and the sacrifice that he made for us all.  There is a sense of freedom in believing in God, and I felt that this piece portrayed that. 

Thom Murphy

THE COST OF FREEDOM

• Thom Murphy
• "The Cost of Freedom"
• Oil on canvas
• 16" x 20"
• 2008

Thom Murphy loved to draw as a child with many different kinds of mediums.  However, he mostly doodled and never thought about pursuing art.  In the fall of 1999, he joined The Plateau Cirque where he fell in love with the technique of oil painting. 

"Everytime my brush touches the canvas, a new creation is brought to life.  The challenge of realism for me, is to create a painting from a scene or photograph and make it my own." - Thom Murphy

"When the war in Afghanistan and Iraq reached the death toll that mirrored those killed on September 11th 2001, I was so touched by the sacrifices that our men and women were making in the name of freedom that I felt compelled to paint this.  It was taken from a photograph that was published in a newspaper around that time and I felt that it summed up the price of freedom." - Thom Murphy

When I think of freedom, our soldiers is the first thing that I think of.  I think about all those Americans that have given their lives for our freedom, and it is quite a humbling thought.  America would not be what it is today without all of those who have fought and are still fighting for what they believe in- Freedom.  This piece reminds me of all the American soldiers endangering their lives for out freedom.

Diane M. Whitehead

FREEDOM SPIRIT HORSE

• Diane M. Whitehead
• "Freedom Spirit Horse"
• Oil on canvas
• 36 x 24
• 2007

"Diane M. Whitehead is an artist living in Utah.  She is an avid outdoors woman and a self-taught artist.  She is a Juried Award Winning Published International Artist with collectors all over the world.  She is a member of Women Artists of the West, Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society, and The Five Graces."

"Her bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors make her work come alive."- EBSQ

"Diane paints what she loves best: wild animals, Montana Mountains, and farm animals."

This piece shows freedom of the spirit.  Something so simple as a horse running free depicts the sense of freedom that we all wish to feel. 

Yulia

FREEDOM IN A CAGE

• Yulia
• "Freedom In A Cage"
• Oil on canvas
• 32 x 42 cm
• Jan. 2006

Yulia is a young painter who was born in Tashkent where she finished art school.  She currently lives in Lima where she continues to study and develop her art.

"I’m holding in My arms this window, that is my freedom. Which seems to be in the cage, though from another side it’s FREEDOM, & HOW FREEDOM COULD BE INSIDE THE CAGE? So in this case I’m in the cage holding the only window I have there and which is like a cage. But that is where my Freedom belong to." -Yulia

Yulia sketched the startings of this picture in her sketchbook from time to time, but stated that it had no real meaning for her.  One day she looked at it and realized that this picture reminded her of her, and from there this painting was born.

This piece makes me think of freedom from oneself.  It could be freedom from what is holding you back or what you are feeling, but it definitely wants freedom from something.  Then there is the aspect that there is freedom right through that window if you only choose to go through it.  It reminds me of everyday life and how it would be nice to step through a window and get away.