Roger Raveel appearing in a perverted dream of Christopher Tracey Emin 2013 Acrylic on hardboard 150 x 105 cm
Tagarchieven: painting
Ravevich (ode to Raveel and Malevich)
Ravevich (ode to Raveel and Malevich) 2013 Acrylic on Canvas 60 x 80 cm
“Suprematism” meets “New Vision” in one painting
Kazimir Malevich is one of the founders of abstract art. Initially an adept of impressionism, he evolved gradually to a style that became more and more abstract, until the only thing he kept was a black square. His evolution is similar (but yet different) to the evolution in the work of Piet Mondriaan.The painting that was the inspiration for Ravevich (ode to Raveel and Malevich), dates from 1915, the top era of Suprematism. The canvas consists of nothing but a black square and a red rotated square in a sea of white. Boss uses this as the background of the Raveel-silhouette. This way the artist accentuates in a subtle way the touch points between both masters (emptiness, large color fields, peace…) as well as the differences (figuration versus abstraction, jagged contours versus austere surfaces, thick impasto paint strokes versus thin layered with underpainting). The style of Malevich is called suprematism, while Raveel introduced the new vision. You could say that Suprematism” meets “New Vision” in one painting.
More information about the artists and styles:
New vision
New vision or new figuration was an art movement related to pop art in Belgium and Holland. Members of the movement: Etienne Elias, Raoul De Keyser,Roger Raveel, Reinier Lucassen and poet Roland Jooris. Jooris (a close friend of Roger Raveel) came up with the name of the movement. As a reaction to abstract painting, they developed a new vision on expression and figuration. Roger Raveel in wikipedia suprematism in wikipedia Kazimir Malevich in wikipediaThe Wanderer
The Wanderer 2013 Acrylic on canvas 50x50cmWhen watching over the shoulder of the protagonist of this painting, we can see a village or small town in the distance. To reach this, the man probably has to take a bridge. The man still has a long way to go. Is this town the final destination of the man? The title suggests not. We can’t find out much of the man who is turned with his back to us. In some way the man doesn’t belong in this picture. His clothes and briefcase don’t suggest that he is a vagabond. On the other hand you don’t suspect an employee with briefcase at foot in this kind of desolate road, far away from civilization. You expect him on a busy train, queuing in a line of cars or walking on a hectic sidewalk of a city, targeted on his way to his office. The mysterious atmosphere is amplified by the hazy brush strokes and the chiaroscuro. The canvas consists of pronounced dark and light parts. The border between dark and light is formed between the diagonal line from the right upper corner to the left bottom corner. Because of htis, the man is placed in the darker part, the destination in the lighter part. Because the man is on the foreground -and as a result bigger- he first draws the attention, but shortly after that, the eye is lead to the lighter horizon. The title of the painting could be a reference to the painting with the same name of Caspar David Friedrich. On this painting you can also see a sharp dressed man, seen from the back, staring over a see of mist. Here, also a strong light-dark contrast is present. Or maybe it is a contemporary adaptation of an Old English poem about a wanderer who finally sees the light after long nostalgic musing? Of maybe it is a reference to the U2 song with the same name, which starts like this: I went out walking Through streets paved with gold Lifted some stones Saw the skin and bones Of a city without a soul I went out walking Under an atomic sky … It would be a feat if Boss had all 3 references in mind when making this painting.
Couple
Couple 2013 Acrylic on canvas 50x50cmWhoever catches a first glimpse of this odd painting, is confused. The brain of the spectator needs some time to transform the abstraction of the first flash into an image representing a path neer a canal. After a moment, one might notice the couple on the path, the title of the painting refers to. In the distances an anonymous little village looms in the haze that is covering the scene from the prying eyes of the viewer. Three dark parts dominate the canvas: the path and two areas of hillsides covered with trees. The positioning of the dark hillsides against the radiant horizon light and the alternation of dark and light strips, create a gaudy image. The comosition and the spear-shaped ornaments are positioned in a way it leads the eye automatically to the horizon and the couple. It seems like the artist is playing a game with the spectator (without this last one noticing it): from one hand, the cleverly chosen composition forces the eye to watch where the artist wants it to watch. On the other hand, the haze and vagueness of the contours make it hard to peek.
Raviaan (ode to Raveel and Mondriaan)
Raviaan (ode to Raveel and Mondriaan) 2013 Acrylic on hardboard 105x105cm
It is clear that Raveel was inspired during his career by Piet Mondriaan. In the work Raviaan (ode to Raveel and Mondriaan) the typical characteristics from both styles of the artists are brought together in an attempt to honour both masters of art. Large fields in primary colors form the geometrical background which is only breached by the jagged head and body of Raveel. It gives the impression of a leadlight.
Raveyser (ode to Raveel and De Keyser)
Raveyser (ode to Raveel and De Keyser) 2013 Acrylic on canvas 50x50cmRaoul De Keyser, pupil, colleague and friend of Roger Raveel is being honoured together with Raveel. On a square painting of a modest size, the Raveel figure is positioned in front of the detail of a soccer field. Because the styles of both masters are related, the symbiosis betweeen their respectively elements looks very naturally.
Ravollock (ode aan Raveel en Pollock)
Ravollock (ode to Raveel and Pollock) 2013 Acrylic and laque on hardboard 42x81cm
This work is a tribute to Roger Raveel and Jackson Pollock. Following the decease of Roger Raveel in 2013, Boss made a series of works as a tribute to this grand master. While doing this, the painter grabbed the opportunity to honour other top artists. The result is an action painting in which Raveel brings some peace. The contrast between the nervous dripping tecnique of Pollock used in the background and the calmness in the emptiness of the Raveel figure in the foreground, give this painting a unique atmosphere. The spirit of Raveel can be found in the works of Boss.