Encounter with an Art work (4)

This is the last installment in the series of 4 reviews of Epstein's "Jacob and the Angel"at Tate Britain.

My first review was a general observation, the second described the experience of different approaches to the piece and the third looked at the sculpture in the context of the surrounding work.

Today I have decided to look at the sculpture through a physiotherapists eyes (my former career).

We are told Epstein is depicting the moment Jacob's hip dislocates and he gives up his struggle with the Angel. The artist expresses Jacob's surrender in his slumped posture. Jacob's right knee is flexed and his heel is off the ground. His right leg is slightly turned out as it would be in life with such an injury.

 I was drawn to the Angel's stance. He is solidly supporting Jacob, but in reality he could not. His right knee is bent with all his weight forward on his toes. Perhaps Epstein is showing him slightly off balance as he holds Jacob up. I believe, however, that he is emphasising the Angel's heavenly power. The Angel is drawn skywards and is able to support Jacob where a mere mortal would topple over and they would both fall.

my art writing assignment, 'handwriting'.

i'd like to thank my genius  daughter for coming up with that amazing title... then again, she did deleted the only back up copy of this so maybe i'll be with holding that gratitude.

above is our group exhibition review which i did with pamela. 

Above left - winter photos, below- Alex`s illustrations.

Two small studies, path to paddling pool and abstract of mould on door.

Here are some of the Autumn photos. Frames had to be hung from the picture rail, but I would choose less visible cord in future. We thought the double hang, one above the other , worked quite well.

The 2 images here are from our recent show, Then and Now". I exhibited with Alex, who is an illustrator. Inside the Lodge, we showed our 2D work. Alex had her life drawings and illustrations and I hung paintings and my photos of the woods taken over this Autumn and Winter.

I had a site specific installation on the porch for the private view(above right). I wanted to recreate a scene on a postcard from c1910 of the Lodge, and so I made life size figures from MDF and printed poplin and composed them on the porch.

Encouter with an Artwork (3)

On Sunday March 8th I returned to the Tate to view Epstien`s "Jacob and the Angel" for the third time.

On my last visit, I explored the different experiences of approaching the work via the stairs from the Manton entrance versus coming in from the ground floor.On this visit I looked at the work in the context of the paintings in the adjoining rooms.

Coming to the sculpture from the ground floor where "Altermodern" is presented, in the room to the left are paintings by William Blake(1752-1827) and Cecil Collins(1908-1989). Both were known as visionary artists. Angels are represented in many of the works of both artists in this room. "Good and Evil Angels" is a very powerful image of Blake`s, as is "Angel and Flowing Light" by Collins. The Angel appears to be a very potent symbol to all three artists, and I think the grouping of their work together adds strenght to all their expressions.

On the stairway coming up from the Manton entrancethere hangs a huge canvas(oil) by Frank Bowling(b. 1938) titled "Mirror", 1936. It shows a gold spiral staircase with a man descending(ascending?) and a blurred figure coming up from the bottom. The palettte is bright- oranges,reds, lime green, gold, violet and indigo.Standing infront of Epstein`s sculpture, the painting is in the background. It has a religious feel, and I believe the two work well together.