Art Update (8 April, 2014)

Read on to find out the former american president’s painting abilities, see the collection of 1000 years old Islamic art, an ‘En plain air’ event and major selling en-cashing millions.

George W. Bush paints: Still life, self-portraits and portraits of other world leaders

Former United States president George W. Bush has opened an art-exhibition of the paintings executed by him. It is a collection of 24 pieces, which mainly includes the leaders of the world, whom he met during his presidency from 2001 to 2009. The portraits include Dalai Lama, Tony Blair, Angela Merkel and many others. It also includes a painting of his father on which he feels proud.

All the paintings were made by looking at the photographs and former president has admitted himself as ‘not a great painter’. See his works, if you agree…

George W. Bush with a painting by him

Dalai Lama by George W. Bush

Angela Merkel by George W. Bush

Barney by George W. Bush

As you can see, he signs some of his paintings as “43” an indication towards him being the 43rd president of the United States.

(Source)

Major Selling

A recent auction held at Hongkong by Sotheby’s saw some high figures for the listed artists. Zhang Xiaogang’s “Bloodline: Big Family No. 3, earned about US$12.1 million.

Bloodline Big Family No. 3 by Zhang Xiaogang’

In the same auction, S. Sudjojono’s “Our Soldiers Led Under Prince Diponegoro” sold for $7.5 million in Hong Kong auction held by Sotheby’s, a record for the artist.

Our Soldiers Led Under Prince Diponegoro by S. Sudjojono

(Source)

A whole event dedicated to “En plein air”

En plein air is a french term translating ‘in plain air’. Here artists comes out in open air with their canvases, brushes and paints and paints the most beautiful they find around. It could be a landscape or any other scene. As of here, the location is a cityscape.

It’s Plein Air Magazine’s Third Annual Plein Air Convention and Expo at the Monterey Conference Center this whole week in California. Around 700 artists are attending the conference and you will see artists here and there with their easel stands depicting the sceneries. (source)

Why these 445 selfies from early 20th century are being shown at an art museum?

In western culture, photobooths are common for many decades. People come, enters some token, takes their pictures and leaves. Following the same process (probably) a man from early 20 century has taken a total of 445 self portraits or selfies of himself. He always wears working suits and tie in every picture. This collection of 445 portraits has reached in an art museum of New Jersey.

Well, that’s a good thing that we have found 445 portraits of a single man and we should preserve it as a historical document just to satisfy our curiosity. But, why it has become a sensational news in the local newspapers.

Because, no one knows who the person is. It could be a portrait of ghost or a person who was crazy of taking his self-portraits – just like today’s teens, who uploads their pictures on social sites with duck faces.

A portion from the 445 portraits

445 portrait photos showcased in the Museum

Well, he looks sane and handsome at least and after seeing the weirdest new trends of selfies, we can understand why his 445 selfies are worth to be in an art-gallery – because he made them without ruining even a single.

(Source)

1000 years old Islamic art to be sold at an auction by Sotheby’s

Islamic paintings and art holds their own importance in the art-community similar to other religious art-pieces. Really rare and precious art-pieces which also could be considered as priceless antiques are going to be sold in an art-auction held by Sotheby’s in middle east. The works includes the Islamic works from different countires.

This is no small auction or no small objects to be sold. The objects which going to sale are very much important for the ilsamic world. Those are Ottoman metal-thread curtain of the Holy Ka’ba door, twenty-seven watercolour portraits of the Ottoman Sultans, Turkey, Plan of the Holy Sanctuary in Mecca, signed by Abdulaziz Husni, Arabian Peninsula, Ottoman and Qajar royal portrait of Fath ‘Ali Shah attended by a prince attributed to Mihr ‘Ali, Persia. The last pieces is estimated between 1.5 to 2.5 million pounds.

The auction is grand is having 237 objects to sell. This is some serious stuff and people are going to spend for it with high amount. If you are interested don’t go until you have an account in Switzerland for such buyings. Bargain isn’t an option.