This morning is a Lempicka morning, as I try to recreate some art deco. My canvas has the greys in place, and while I wait for the oil to firm a bit, I will put down a few thoughts about this wonderful artist. In the event that you have not already experienced some of the beautiful images of the mid-war period created by artists such as Tamara, you should plan a visit to London to see them first hand.
What she does is ad value to the vision that we see of ourselves so that we can never see ourselves the same way again. By taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary, Tamara had the amazing gift of transforming an otherwise ugly world into something beautiful. When we would have ignored what it is that we possess as humans that gives us 'chic' or 'pizazz,' Tamara knew how to extract it.
We all have moles and bumps, bursts and curves. Tamara was able to see these for what they did and while our proclivity would be to damage our self image by focusing on the rough edges, she was able to enhance our form and show it for what it could be. Simple objects of life, she gave a value, they never had. In simplicity and spareness, there is beauty and she was able to find it, enjoy it, and paint it.
Tamara belongs to that period of history when the world suffered in the worst way, and while others created images of determination and iron will, she produced a view of the softer side of life. The thirties were a period of conflict in which imagery played an important role in shaping loyalties and values. While the Soviets focused on red and yellows, and the Nazis on reds and blacks, Tamara is able to enhance sensuality with fleshy images and a sympathetic use of green, the colour of independence. This we see a self portrait of Tamara de Lempicka driving a green roadster which for her symbolized the independence of the female spirit that the fast automobile afforded.
Judge for yourself. Have a look at the way Tamara uses her greens.
