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Hillary Clinton wrote her thoughts and experiences from her years
in the White House for her new book and entitled them, "Living History."
Well, if the super talented artist Wes Hempel wrote or had a book written
about his, the title should read "Living Art Master in the Flesh." I say
this with a full breath and level head. For this guy's work is moving,
inspiring, and definitely collectible. All upperly mobile Gay and Bi guys
in the sound of my voice, run...don't walk and buy some of his work. Wes
is a visual genius whose work can be proudly hung in any home. Gay or Straight,
if you appreciate the male form and have a deep enjoyment for juxaposition,
he is the Modern Da Vinci for you. By combining art's historical elements
with contemporary figures, he creates a new narrative which allows his
paintings to function in a revisionist manner, commenting on aspects of
our contemporary culture. Time machine collectors will regret not having
his work in their collections. I personally could see his art grace churchs
(open to this type of work) a 100 or 200 years into the future. If not
the ceilings, similiar to the Vatican, definitely on hospitals or church
community centers. Also, if David Geffen or other billionaire gay men are
reading this, I could also see people in 2103 going on tours of great estates
from our time and seeing his work.
Most of his eye works on non-verbal levels. Engaging viewers to think
about the new combination of subjects. For example, in his 2003 painting
entitled, "Study for the Elders;" Renaissance scholars study the buff,
and shirtless torso of a hot muscle twink plunked right out of our century.
The contrast, in my opinion, is somewhat humorous, but definitely not offensive.
Instead it validates the male figure and the appreciation of it in a post
Neo-Classical fashion while breaking new ground. The slight humor is similiar
to the paintings of the farmer and his wife. A poignant, powerful picture
which adds beauty, yet documents for posterity the American farmstead.
Another portfolio gem that is equally moving, is entitled "Fatherhood."
In this great painting, we see a hot stud in a very Romanesque setting
clutching babies. The picture could litterally hang in a nursery or a building
that helps children. It has beauty that makes the living gay man stop,
but at the same time respects the context and subject matter in a skillful
presentation. Although this painting was done in 1997, one would think
it would be a conservative, art hater's target. But rather, it is so moving
one can definitely see that no comments would arise from it. This great
work hangs in the Denver Art Museum.
This year alone, Wes claims a solo exhibit entitled, "Plot Twists",
which is at the Robischon Gallery in Denver, Colorado. His work also graces
the halways of Microsoft. It seems that ole Bill Gates adds a new definition
to Geek Chic, by placing such a contemporary yet somewhat homoerotic or
at least male focussed work in his super Bat Cave of high-tech capitalism.
Well, enough said. Art 101, Wes Hempel, is not. A new classic? Yes...oh
certainly yes. So please use 2004 to discover the next great master.
More of Hempel's work can be seen at: WesHempel.com Other Notable Exhibitions:
2003 -
"Summer Group Exhibition," Tatistcheff Gallery, New York
San Francisco International Art Exposition (Jenkins Johnson Gallery),
San Francisco
"Magic Realism: A New Generation," Sangre De Christo Art Center, Pueblo,
Colorado
"ConTEXT: Art & Words," Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Grand
Junction, Colorado
"Fifth Annual Realism Invitational," Jenkins Johnson Gallery, San Francisco
(catalog) By Clark David | | | |
