PA Spotlight: Charles Demuth
Charles Demuth was an American talent who was born and remained in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Most known for his work, Figure No. 5, a great indicator of Pop Art, Demuth was also credited for developing a painting style known as Precisionism, where American landscapes were depicted in precise, sharply defined, geometrical forms.
Charles Demuth’s life spanned from the early 1880′s until he passed in 1935 due to complications of diabetes. His career was peppered with praise from the New York Times, several museums and the love, respect, and company of fellow artists Georgia O’Keefe, Arthur Dove, Charles Duncan and many more.
The 1920′s launched his art from still life watercolors into the theme of industrial America using oils.
“America doesn’t really care – still, if one is really an artist and at the same time an American, just this not caring, even though it drives one mad, can be artistic material.”
- written to Stieglitz in 1927
He took what was familiar and made it famous with a painting technique that is celebrated in museums today. Although heavily influenced by his time in New York and Paris, he remained true to his hometown which later exiled him when he became bedridden and cut-off from the art world.
When posed with the question should one move to New York City or another design-savvy city? I say stay true to who you are and express what is familiar and with what has made you who you are.
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