Neo –expression was a movement that was opposing the traditional culture of conceptual art which advocates imagery culled from art history that shows coolness and a strain of expression. Thus, the neo-expression was for the easel cast, painting and curved sculptures that brought out the feelings of the artist in a violent manner which was considered a taboo. Additionally, this is a period of transition modernism to postmodern, the artist for the first time able to display their feeling in a variety of sources such as newspaper, pictures or books. Furthermore, this is the period that the world war was coming to end hence the people were more enlighten and free to express feelings freely without intimidation. This period is can be associated with freedom as most the nations around the world were gaining independence. Thus, the was a sense of rebellion of the old setting and freedom of expression (Hsieh, 2004)
One of the artists that his art express his feelings is Markus Lupertz in the political arena. His paintings consisted of vibrant colors and brushstrokes. As such, he got into the limelite with his paintings on the Germany military and other symbols which most people viewed them as taboo. Moreover, He painted nude images that received wide critics in Germany. Thus, his art showed the kind of oppression the Germany military the people who want to remember. Additionally, the nude images showed change of culture where nudity was longer a something strange in public. Some of the memorable paintings are Schwarz rot gold, Sebastian and tanzendes-madchen. Furthermore, his art shows there was decay in the society whereby people enjoy nudity. Hence, the art showed nudity in the Germany culture was a common thing as compared to the past traditions. Essentially this was a freedom and rebellion of the post-war era hence nudity was a sign of expressing this freedom (Michael, 2010)
The artist who is most remembered as the master of black and white is Robert Longo. His paintings give his audience three-dimensional paints which were uncommon at this time. He broke from the traditional use of canvas and opted for a piece of clothing, pictures and he also use projectors to present his work. Furthermore, his work commonly revolved around the power and authority. Thus, he expresses the black movement which was rampant at this time in America. Hence, art shows a culture of uneven authority and oppression of black Americans in the United States. Some of the paintings are black flag and men in the cities (Crimp, 2009).
Postmodern, represents the stage where the art world broke away from the normal art routine where artist had to paint in a certain way. Hence, it brought a sense of freedom by breaking away from the structures that confined artist to modernist. Furthermore, it’s a rebellion stage against authorities where artist presents their criticisms in painting. Moreover, a number of artists broke from the tradition of painting leaders and heroes but paint pictures landscapes and other features which they thought present the voice of the people (Clark, 2011)
How the audience receives the art matter a lot to the artist since it shows the artist work did not go unnoticed. The art of these two artists was well-received. However, Markus Lupertz, received lots of criticism from a section of the society who thought he painted the military in a bad way. The conservatives did not appreciate the nude arts either; they thought as taboo. However, this encourages him to engage more in his work. On the hand, Robert work has been used in several videos and picture around the USA. This has encouraged him to pain even further a good example is the ‘men in city’ drawing.
Work cited
Clark, John. "Postmodernism and expressionist tendencies in recent Chinese oil painting." Asian Studies Review 15.2 (2011): 104-129.
Crimp, Douglas. "Pictures." October (2009): 75-88.
Dantini, Michele. Modern And Contemporary Art. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2008.
Hsieh, Tungshan. "The critical foundations of American neo-expressionism: 1980-1984." (2004).
Michael S. "Artist Puts Hercules, and Himself, on Pedestals - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., 2010. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/30/world/europe/30lupertz.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.
