Alex on Pig 2005 ©BrytenGoss.com
Written by Jackee D. Koerner-Hintz
When I was 19, I lived in Los Angeles, California, the city of angles and dreams and in my case, of unrequited love… we will get to the topic of art, I promise. I moved there to study film, but spent most of my time wasting it. Coincidentally, at this same point in my life, I not only believed that I would become a famous movie star, but that I would simultaneously meet and fall in love with actor, Jason Lee. For the record, this was well before Alvin and the Chipmunks.
As one does when in love, I discovered all I could about Mr. Lee. And before too long, I came to learn that he was quite the art enthusiast and worked to promote several up-and-coming L.A. artists including (the late) painter Bryten Goss, photographer and film maker Alex Prager and writer and visual artist Mercedes Helnwein. These discoveries eventually led me to the works of fine artiste-extraordinaire Gottfried Helnwein – he has been my most treasured artist since. Because of their connection to each other and to a very particular time in my life, I fancy listing the aforementioned talents as my, L.A. Fraternity. As it turns out, I did in fact fall in love in L.A., but with art.
To compose a comprehensive commentary on the sum of these artists and their work would clearly be overwhelming to the reader. I’d like to, nonetheless, introduce you to my L.A. Fraternity, with optimism that you too will join in on my L.A. love affair.
Bryten Goss (1976-2006) - was best known as an L.A. based contemporary realist painter although towards the end of his tragically short life he began laboring in classical etching practices. His work is beautifully dark – in sentiment and in palate. Bryten’s use of light certainly nods to Caravaggio, yet it is still his own. His paintings are brave whilst being ironic. Goss’ frequent use of warm pigments allows you to get cozy, and then he hits you with something profound, something viscerally human, something true. With any luck, you walk away having learned a good deal about yourself. Bryten died too young; many of the greatest artists have as well, unfortunately. Below are some of my favorite pieces of his work. Please visit his memorial site and find your own:
The Blind Leading the Blind 2006 ©BrytenGoss.com
Self Portrait (Guilt) 2003 ©BrytenGoss.com
Triumph of Death III 2003 ©BrytenGoss.com
Alex Prager (1979 - ) – is also L.A. based. Alex is a photographer (self-taught) and most recently a film maker. Her work is satirically spunky and vibrantly poignant – and at times almost psychedelic. I find myself wanting to simultaneously lick a lollipop and be a better person. If there was a way to describe an L.A.-vibe without being disparaging, I think Prager’s photography achieves it and with a brilliant cinematic flare. More recently she has begun to make films including the delightfully moody, New York Times video gallery (13 films), Touch of Evil. Below is an essence of Alex’s work. Please visit more here.
Week-End, Crowd #1 (Stan Douglas) 2010 ©AlexPrager.com
Compultion, 2 PM, Interstate 110 and Eye #6 (Sinkhole)(Diptych) 2012 ©AlexPrager.com
The Big Valley, Eve 2008 ©AlexPrager.com
Despair, Film Still #1 2010 ©AlexPrager.com
The Big Valley, Annie 2008 ©AlexPrager.com
Mercedes Helnwein – is L.A. and Ireland based. She is (I think) equally talented in pencil drawing and writing. Mercedes’ drawings often radiate a monochromatic intensity that just won’t quit – in a good way. Most recently a multi-toned primary palate of oil pastels has crept into her drawings and proved fruitful, as seen in her two most recent collections 2010’s, Temptation To Be Good and last year’s, Asleep In The Wind. Mercedes Helnwein’s drawings transport me nostalgic - to a time and place I’ve never seen, but dreamed of. Intentionally or not I can’t be sure, though I have my suspicions. Her writing (fiction and non-fiction) reveals a lot about her influences and love for certain American motel culture, as her website describes. Her literary voice is merely enviable. It is smooth and clever and cool as leather. What a peculiar feeling when someone you’ve never met, says exactly what you want to say, universally better than you could have ever written it. Please visit her website here and let her take you somewhere great.
Asleep In The Wind, FRIDGE 2011 ©MercedesHelnwein.com
East of Eden, Cow with Reflection 2008 ©MercedesHelnwein.com
Temptation Te Be Good, Summer II 2010 ©MercedesHelnwein.com
Whistling Past The Graveyard, You Can’t Win 2008 ©MercedesHelnwein.com
Asleep In The Wind, THREE NURSES 2011 ©MercedesHelnwein.com
Gottfried Helnwein (1948 - ) – is too good for words, but words are all I have. President of my L.A. Fraternity and renowned by many as a vitally important contemporary realist artists, I’m blown away at how many people in my world, aren’t privy to his remarkable body of work including, paintings, photography, film, installations and performance art. Austrian born and based in L.A. and Ireland, Gottfried’s work does nothing, if not take your breath away – in ways that might surprise you. Helnwein’s eerie portrayals documenting his childhood experience whilst growing up in post-war Austria, are admirable to say the least. And his more recent politically focused work follows suit. It is easy to sense a well of anger in the artist, but of the best kind, anger with purpose. Clearly inspired by post-Nazi Europe, he is relentless in what appears to be his mission to remember. Quite shamelessly, Gottfried refuses to let the world forget about the atrocities that occurred during WWII and still occur today, especially to children – this is what I respect most about his immense work. His frame of reference frequently orbits around injury, pain, and death, although it’s not all menacing. Helnwein has produced some of the most beautiful landscape paintings I’ve ever laid eyes on and theatre art-direction so visually appetizing it makes you mad you weren’t around to see it in person. Of course what you see in the work and how it makes you feel is up to you. Believe me, the images below are just the tip of the iceberg. Do yourself a favor and visit GottfriedHelnwein.com.
American Prayer 2000 ©GottfriedHelnwein.com
Epiphany III (Presentation at the Temple) 1998 ©GottfriedHelnwein.com
The Disasters of War 19 2007 ©GottfriedHelnwein.com
Sonntagskind (Sunday Child) 1972 ©GottfriedHelnwein.com
The Intrusion 1971 ©GottfriedHelnwein.com
The last Child 2008, Installation in the city of Waterford ©GottfriedHelnwein.com
The last Child 2008, Installation in the city of Waterford ©GottfriedHelnwein.com
The last Child 2008, Installation in the city of Waterford ©GottfriedHelnwein.com
GOLDEN THOUGHTS GO HERE... The talent of the aformentioned artist goes without saying .......each one of them evokes emotion, feelings, thoughts, and reflection of the viewer into their own dark world of masks. I enjoyed the introduction done by LookSeeLondon, and now feel I know more about these tallented individuals and want to view more of their art. Thank you for sharing.......
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