Steve Mc Elroy

Pop-Art Acrylic Abstract by Steve McElroy

2000

In this abstract expressionist painting by Shant, the tension between black and white creates an immediate, palpable sense of unease, which could recall the chaos and turmoil often associated with Lebanon's complex history. Indeed, Shank was born in Lebanon in Beirut in '71. From 1975 to 1992, Lebanon was the scene of a multifaceted war. Very deadly for the civilian population, it involved various protagonists, and a civil war broke out in 1975-1976, then again in 1983-1985. Whether consciously or unconsciously distancing from these events, having been exposed to them directly or through the tragic experiences of families who remained in the country, the bold brushstrokes and swirling circular shapes evoke a sense of urgency, reflecting the inner turmoil and external conflicts that may have shaped the artist's experience. Abstract expressionism is a free universe where everyone can interpret a painting according to its history, its current events, whatever the resonance may be between the personal history of the spectator and that of the artist. The chaotic composition of this piece invites us to explore our inner worlds as we navigate through the painting's complex layers of meaning. Shant fills space with dynamic energy, creating an organization of forms, a dialogue that challenges traditional notions of order and structure. It is impossible to separate Shant's artistic expression from the socio-political context of Lebanon. The artist's education undoubtedly influences his point of view, infusing the work with a questioning that resonates on a profoundly universal level. Ultimately, Shant's abstract expressionism in this painting transcends mere representation, inviting viewers to confront the complexities of the human condition and the lasting impact of conflict on the individual and collective psyche. He was born in 1971 in Beirut, Lebanon, where Shant Beudjekian’s art practice was discovered at 14, after gaining recognition from the Swiss national youth soccer team and winning many trophies and medals then. In 1995, after moving to California, San Diego, he completed a 4 year Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Ceramics at Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles. He also attended a one-year internship in landscape architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. He returned to Southern California in 2004, where he practiced as a full-time Artist in the Local Art Communities of Southern California. He has been painting for 25 years while receiving appreciative acceptances from curators and Gallery Directors from the East Coast. He exhibited in several cities on the East Coast of the United States, along with exhibitions in the Chelsea District of Manhattan, New York. Now living on the West Coast, Beudjekian has been notable for exhibiting Art and selling on numerous occasions at the San Diego Art Institute of the Living Artists, Del Mar Art Center, San Diego Hospice and Palliative Care, and Forest and Ocean Gallery...

Abstraction offers a unique opportunity to delve into the space between the visible and the invisible. Acting as a conduit connecting the tangible and the intangible, it encourages us to explore various interpretations in a dreamlike state. In this abstract oil painting by California resident artist Erik Fiazi, the canvas is full of dynamic, nervous brush gestures, evoking images that might recall a continent or torn fabric. Whether it is the phalanges of a fist ready to burst and rip the canvas or a nation symbolized by colors that could be similar to those of a flag. There are so many possible interpretations. In any case, the work releases a raw and unbridled energy, Charged with a force worthy of a revolution like a raised fist, with its red which invades our entire field of vision, a rebellion underlined by the nervousness of the gestures of application of colors next to each other and also on top of each other, probably applied both with a knife and with a large brush. There is thickness and a lot of density. Abstraction is a challenging genre because, beyond the technique, the magic lies in the ability to penetrate the viewer's heart. By contemplating this work through the prism of allegorical reading, we can discern the echoes of a nation in turmoil: a landscape emptied of its green splendor; in fact, green appears in the minority, invaded by the burning red of destruction and flames. The central block resembles an island adrift in a navy blue sea, evoking isolation and vulnerability after a tumultuous storm. The foam of the waves reminds us of the instability inherent in life. Yet within this chaos lies a profound lesson: while the surface may churn under the unleashing of the elements, the bottom of the ocean remains still, offering a symbolic parallel to the importance of maintaining solid foundations amidst the turbulence of life. Eric Fiazi...

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