Comment: Modern Expressionism

 

This haunting piece by Joseph Milton is entitled “Inside.”

Although painted in 1998, the work does not have the attributes of typical “Modern Expressionism” inspired by the German Expressionists.

Why?

Although Milton’s use of intense color, merging images from other works, emphasizing obscure subject matter, depth, and exaggerated distortion, feels too derivative of German Expressionism or Expressionism.

The only difference between this “modern” work and the paintings of the 1920s is its content...there is no political agenda...but of course, a statement is being made, and that statement could well be anyone’s guess.

As is the 70’s post-modern sensibility, Modern Expressionism relates itself to the notion of “collage,” a merging of many art forms in the attempt at the creation of a “freestyle work or movement,” that is to say, the notion of pastiche, ala The Simpson’s or the work of Brian De Palma in film. The artist has carte blanche to steal any work from anywhere, past or present, merge different media forms, and present it as a piece of art; however, God forbid, never call it “original.” As this goes against the post-modern ethos, however, ironically, post-modernism claims total freedom from artistic “dogma,” yet has one, and a strong ethos at that...(not time or space to elaborate.)

One would have to admit that Milton’s “Inside” is striking in its use of color and the feelings of dread. But, unfortunately, it is reminiscent of another modern artist’s style that at the moment escapes me... damn.

Modern Expressionism spawned from Expressionism, German Expressionism, and Abstract Expressionism of the Americans, the most famous artist from this movement being Sidney Pollack.

Then, of course, one cannot fail to mention one of the godfathers of modern Expressionism, of all the so-called post contemporary artists, Andy Warhol, who ‘painted’ the screens of Marilyn Monroe that continue to sell at outrageous prices.

Milton’s painting is undoubtedly derivative from the German Expressionists in terms of their insanity, delusion, and depictions of suffering.

Something I would never buy or hang on my wall, but interesting.