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Richard Wright's stellar art shines next to Rembrandt at the Rijksmuseum Richard Wright's stellar art shines next to Rembrandt at the Rijksmuseum
(7 months later)
The art of British painter-installationist Richard Wright is ethereal and mind-boggling. He paints modern frescoes that transform interior spaces by literally opening up new perspectives. Using mathematically calculated techniques that go back to Italian Renaissance architects Filippo Brunelleschi and Leon Battista Alberti, he maps out abstract patterns that create vertiginous spatial illusions.The art of British painter-installationist Richard Wright is ethereal and mind-boggling. He paints modern frescoes that transform interior spaces by literally opening up new perspectives. Using mathematically calculated techniques that go back to Italian Renaissance architects Filippo Brunelleschi and Leon Battista Alberti, he maps out abstract patterns that create vertiginous spatial illusions.
Wright is an artist of visionary modernity and a painter steeped in the traditions of his craft. It is therefore hugely appropriate that Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, one of the greatest galleries in the world that is shortly to reopen after a decade-long reconstruction, has chosen to celebrate its 21st-century renewal by commissioning a permanent work by one of the most exciting artists of our time. Wright has painted a vast network of black stars on a ceiling adjacent to the Rijksmuseum's most famous masterpiece, Rembrandt's The Night Watch.Wright is an artist of visionary modernity and a painter steeped in the traditions of his craft. It is therefore hugely appropriate that Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, one of the greatest galleries in the world that is shortly to reopen after a decade-long reconstruction, has chosen to celebrate its 21st-century renewal by commissioning a permanent work by one of the most exciting artists of our time. Wright has painted a vast network of black stars on a ceiling adjacent to the Rijksmuseum's most famous masterpiece, Rembrandt's The Night Watch.
This international recognition for one of Britain's best artists will mean that his stellar art is forever linked with one of Europe's supreme paintings. I haven't seen it yet except in photographs, but the subtle allusions already resonate. Black stars? Why black stars? Perhaps because Rembrandt is a painter of the invisible; the dark depths and luminous glows that suffuse Rembrandt's paintings lead the mind's eye inward, to a place of mystery where the stars go out. Wright's black stars evoke, perhaps, Rembrandt's negative universe – his black matter of the soul.This international recognition for one of Britain's best artists will mean that his stellar art is forever linked with one of Europe's supreme paintings. I haven't seen it yet except in photographs, but the subtle allusions already resonate. Black stars? Why black stars? Perhaps because Rembrandt is a painter of the invisible; the dark depths and luminous glows that suffuse Rembrandt's paintings lead the mind's eye inward, to a place of mystery where the stars go out. Wright's black stars evoke, perhaps, Rembrandt's negative universe – his black matter of the soul.
I was on the jury that awarded Richard Wright the 2009 Turner prize, so I take an interest in the lad. It's great to see this elusive artist – until recently all his works, including his gold leaf Turner mural, were deliberately destroyed after a few weeks – getting the international recognition he deserves. His award in 2009 was a win for real modern art, as opposed to celebrity posturing. It proved our era too can create beauty, as the Dutch did in the 17th-century paintings that are the jewels (or black stars) of the Rijksmuseum. That braid is not broken.I was on the jury that awarded Richard Wright the 2009 Turner prize, so I take an interest in the lad. It's great to see this elusive artist – until recently all his works, including his gold leaf Turner mural, were deliberately destroyed after a few weeks – getting the international recognition he deserves. His award in 2009 was a win for real modern art, as opposed to celebrity posturing. It proved our era too can create beauty, as the Dutch did in the 17th-century paintings that are the jewels (or black stars) of the Rijksmuseum. That braid is not broken.
Yet Wright is a deeply modern artist who works, as Robert Rauschenberg said artists should, in the space between art and life. The reason he destroys so many of his site-specific paintings is surely that he does not want to make art that imposes itself oppressively on the world. His works inhabit a space – as people do – and relate in a physical, intimate way to their viewers, making us aware of our being in the world, our bodies and imaginations.Yet Wright is a deeply modern artist who works, as Robert Rauschenberg said artists should, in the space between art and life. The reason he destroys so many of his site-specific paintings is surely that he does not want to make art that imposes itself oppressively on the world. His works inhabit a space – as people do – and relate in a physical, intimate way to their viewers, making us aware of our being in the world, our bodies and imaginations.
In fact, this too relates to Dutch 17th-century art. Paintings in the Rijksmuseum such as Vermeer's hypnotic The Little Street take direct pleasure in the facts of everyday life. Art for the Dutch always was a part of life – and Wright's radical vision is at home with their humble works of genius.In fact, this too relates to Dutch 17th-century art. Paintings in the Rijksmuseum such as Vermeer's hypnotic The Little Street take direct pleasure in the facts of everyday life. Art for the Dutch always was a part of life – and Wright's radical vision is at home with their humble works of genius.
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