Lisa DeLoria Weinblatt
June 9, 2009
WOMAN - MAN
WOMAN – MAN – The images in this series affirm the time – sequence of relationship cycles, creating awareness of the multi-faceted roles of women.
Dear Lisa,
Thanks for your post to this site. I’m interested in your use of art history as a vehicle for self-representation. I’m wondering if you could say more about your concept of the time-sequence of relationship cycles, as it pertains here to your citation of Dejeuner sur l’herbe. Is there a satirical element here–which is often how images of nude men painted by women are generally read?
Cheers,
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your interest. In the MAN/WOMAN series symbolism is important. Compelled to tell my story, I was & am enthralled by historical works of art and the stories which inspire them. Wanting to create in this series (to which I add new work to)the on-going story, I realized paintings like Titian’s “‘Ádam & Eve” and Reubens Ädam & Eve” were relevant to many female/male relationship stories.
The M/W series begins Ïn the Garden” – awakenings, first love, true love, etc. and although all is not perfect – he is looking away while she is offering a gift.
As to my “Dejeuner” painting, #4, I thought it important to paint the man & statue nude – why are the men dressed in the original and not the women? Why not level the playing field since it is a modern painting. Men enjoy painting women, why shouldn’t a women enjoy painting a man?
The time-sequence element of the images becomes more coherent when the series is viewed as painted – a visual essay. The sequencing of the images moves in & out of historical reference & modern times and somehow for me, like a dream – capturing moments that give a sense of – yes, life can be like that, like waves of emotion and experience a woman may feel.