10/08/2021
So excited to announce our first artist contribution to our upcoming art auction!
Enormous amounts of gratitude to Artist Dana "Primrose" Bloede - Proud Indigenous, Native American, Mexican Artist - http://www.instagram.com/danabloede - who selected what we feel couldn't be a more fitting piece from her collection to put up for auction!
Introducing "Hope", based on a Klimt painting. Read more about this incredible piece below.
Artist's Statement: "Every now and again, I make a point to study the masters. I go to my neighborhood library, skim through the art book aisle & select a book that interests me. I read up on the artist and try to narrow down a few of their best paintings (to me).
During the time Klimt's painting was created (1903), he used a model of a pregnant n**e woman, considered very controversial at the time. Yet he accepted that many of his pictures were against moral norms. He was also an opportunist; often using models for his paintings via their difficult personal or financial circumstances.
The model's name in his painting Hope was "Herma." And at that time, male artists and critics considered models the lowest of the low. But Herma needed to support her family financially, so she continued to model for Klimt and likewise during her pregnancy.
If his neighbor could not afford to pay their rent, Klimt would seek them out, pay their rent, and then use the entire family for his personal art models. If local people could not afford a relative's funeral, same, Klimt stepped in, paid for the funeral and later collected on his investment by using them in his many paintings.
Live models were in demand for portrait artists to use as references for their painting ideas. Evident in his depiction of Herma, she was not just a pregnant n**e model earning money to support her family, she was also very beautiful, intelligent, and graceful. I hope my interpretation of Herma intrigues you as much as Klimt's portrait first intrigued me. I kept her feminine, soft and elegant, which is what I also believe about motherhood, womanhood and sisterhood. Herma lives!"
I mean... everything from the story of how Klimt would source his models (by covering their financial needs) to the tale of motherhood in this piece is just absolute perfection, don't you think?
"Hope"
18x24, mixed media, painted on wrapped canvas, sides are painted black, ready to hang, lots of texture, vintage fabric, and lace.
This piece will be up for auction during our weeklong event this November! If you're interested in being tagged when it goes live, comment below! If you're interested in donating an original piece, send us a message!
