Research the work of Lulie Mehretu: form, structure and rhythem; her drawing and painting process.

 Julie Mehretu is an artist who makes large-scale, gestural, abstract paintings and drawings composed by layering media and prints which are fused with mark-making techniques that give depth to her paintings. Her abstract style was influenced by Jackson Pollock and Barnett Newman as well as other abstract artists, (Artnet.com, n.d.) although her paintings are unique and clearly attributable to the artist. At first glance Mehretu’s works give the impression of disorder, confusion and mood. But first impressions can be deceiving.    

Through a creative performance and staccato of words, Mehretu implies that painting is a language expressed through her spontaneity. Yet, the merging of shapes, lines and marks make her paintings look architectural, and her use of negative space further draws attention to the precision and detail of the under-drawing. But the marks don’t say anything on their own but intuitively react to one another to create their own dialog. “The marks are percussive, repetitive motions, marks that shift with each motion… and decimate their place until they morph”. (Graw and Lajer-Burcharth, 2016).

This performance is articulated by The In-between Place (2015), fusing the rendering of a precise under-drawing with intuitive mark making. The under-drawing is taken from a photograph which itself reflects a social and political landscape that we have created in an architectural form. Layered with rapid and incisive marks Mehretu writes of how when creating her work, it “morphs into new disruptions of the surface”.   On reflection, this is what we see first – the upper layers of rapid abstract marks dominating the viewers perception of the image. With curiosity the viewers gaze is drawn into the image through a void of negative spaces. (Graw and Lajer-Burcharth, 2016).

HOWL, eon (I, II) (2017), part of the Politicized Landscapes exhibition, the under-layer is made up of distorted digital images of contemporary race riots, street protests, and nineteenth-century depictions of the American West. This is layered with luminous layers of paint and ink applied with brushes, spray painting, and screen printing. The work is an expansive exploration of the American West — it examines colonialism, capitalism, class conflict, social protest, and technological innovation have transformed the political, social and physical landscape.

The scale of her artwork, and the fusing of intricate detail and abstract mark making means that there is no distinct central focus, meaning the viewer must look at the painting as a whole piece – and from a distance. The mark-making techniques are unique and makes her work easily identifiable. I personally like the way she deliberately uses negative space to create balance and harmony. Above all, Mehretu challenges our perception of form and structure, and to reflect on our own artistic voice.

Additional Artists Writings :

Van Gogh http://vangoghletters.org/vg/

Van Gogh wrote over 900 letters that provide a remarkable insight into his emotional state of mind, aspirations, ideas and personal philosophy about his painting. Often, they overflow with rich descriptions of his surroundings, the complicated colours of things, and his attempts to study it all in paint.

Oxlade, R. (2010). Art & instinct. London: Ziggurat Books.

Oxlade’s approach is eloquently expressed in his writing. His argument may at times be radical, but his philosophy is compelling. Opposed to the influence of the commercial world of fine art, Oxlade took his own path, evolving a form of “real” painting.  

Maslen, M. and Southern, J. (2015). Drawing projects. London: Black Dog Publishing.

An Exploration of the Language of Drawing’ is both a practical guide to drawing and an informative insight into the minds of artists who work with the medium. ‘Drawing Projects’ profiles ten key artists and illustrators revealing their working environments and practices

References:

Chua, L. (2020). Julie Mehretu by Lawrence Chua – BOMB Magazine. [online] Bombmagazine.org. Available at: https://bombmagazine.org/articles/julie-mehretu/ [Accessed 13 Jan. 2020].

Whitecube. (n.d.). White Cube – Artists – Julie Mehretu. [online] Whitecube.com. Available at: https://whitecube.com/artists/artist/julie_mehretu [Accessed 13 Jan. 2020].

Culturetype.com. (2017). Julie Mehretu: ‘What Does It Mean to Paint a Landscape in this Political Moment?’. [online] Available at: https://www.culturetype.com/2017/09/25/julie-mehretu-what-does-it-mean-to-paint-a-landscape-in-this-political-moment/ [Accessed 13 Jan. 2020].

Graw, I. and Lajer-Burcharth, E. (2016). Painting beyond Itself. Berlin: Sternberg Press, pp.270-277.

Marian Goodman. (n.d.). Julie Mehretu. [online] Available at: https://www.mariangoodman.com/artists/51-julie-mehretu/ [Accessed 13 Jan. 2020].

Sfmoma.org. (2017). Julie Mehretu · SFMOMA. [online] Available at: https://www.sfmoma.org/exhibition/julie-mehretu-HOWL-eon-I-II/ [Accessed 13 Jan. 2020].

Thebroad.org. (n.d.). Julie Mehretu – Bio | The Broad. [online] Available at: https://www.thebroad.org/art/julie-mehretu [Accessed 13 Jan. 2020].

Valentine, V. (2017). Julie Mehretu: ‘What Does It Mean to Paint a Landscape in this Political Moment?’. [online] Culturetype.com. Available at: https://www.culturetype.com/2017/09/25/julie-mehretu-what-does-it-mean-to-paint-a-landscape-in-this-political-moment/ [Accessed 13 Jan. 2020].

Youtube.com. (2015). YouTube. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Y1PtHXQEo [Accessed 13 Jan. 2020].