20: Agnes Pelton - Incandescent Visions
Explicit content warning
02/24/22 • 53 min
1 Listener
Stephanie and Russell are back to take you to the California desert, where they discuss the life and work of Agnes Pelton, a theosophical and occult painter of the 20th century who was relatively unknown in the Art World Mainstream until recently.
For all the clips we cut from this and other episodes, including us covering another Agnes Pelton work - Future, 1943 - head on over to our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/artslicepod
Despite similarities to Hilma af Klint and Wassily Kandinsky (both inspired by Theosophy) in terms of abstraction and often compared to painter Georgia O’ Keefe with her desert landscapes – Agnes’ work is truly unique, combining theosophical symbology with a keen eye to light filled observations resulting in otherworldly and incandescent compositions. Using oil paint and numerous layers of glazes, she achieves that mesmerizing glowing light effect present in paintings of Italian Baroque masters like Artemisia Gentileschi and (Michelangelo Merisi da) Caravaggio.
After leaving behind the bustling East Coast, Agnes sought a life in Cathedral City, located in the California desert, where she could channel her energy and focus on harnessing the incandescent visions that came to her through her meditations while also exploring her spirituality.
There, she found a community of like-minded outsiders and artists who thrived in the oasis that was Cathedral City for them too. Despite her lack of mainstream success for the most part during her life, she made a lasting impression on those who knew her – whether it was through her presence or through her stunning paintings.
Topics include sugar addiction problems, dirty windshields, studious rattlesnakes, silver tea sets, and cliffside thrift stores.
The works discussed today are Sandstorm, 1932; Orbits. 1934; and The Blest. 1941.
The featured music today is "Doug and Mike Starn" by Rob Lynch & Jonathan Hughes from the album Public / Private
Pick up our new Art Slice Museum Shirt by Son Siwakorn here: https://www.artslicepod.com/shop
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Stephanie and Russell are back to take you to the California desert, where they discuss the life and work of Agnes Pelton, a theosophical and occult painter of the 20th century who was relatively unknown in the Art World Mainstream until recently.
For all the clips we cut from this and other episodes, including us covering another Agnes Pelton work - Future, 1943 - head on over to our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/artslicepod
Despite similarities to Hilma af Klint and Wassily Kandinsky (both inspired by Theosophy) in terms of abstraction and often compared to painter Georgia O’ Keefe with her desert landscapes – Agnes’ work is truly unique, combining theosophical symbology with a keen eye to light filled observations resulting in otherworldly and incandescent compositions. Using oil paint and numerous layers of glazes, she achieves that mesmerizing glowing light effect present in paintings of Italian Baroque masters like Artemisia Gentileschi and (Michelangelo Merisi da) Caravaggio.
After leaving behind the bustling East Coast, Agnes sought a life in Cathedral City, located in the California desert, where she could channel her energy and focus on harnessing the incandescent visions that came to her through her meditations while also exploring her spirituality.
There, she found a community of like-minded outsiders and artists who thrived in the oasis that was Cathedral City for them too. Despite her lack of mainstream success for the most part during her life, she made a lasting impression on those who knew her – whether it was through her presence or through her stunning paintings.
Topics include sugar addiction problems, dirty windshields, studious rattlesnakes, silver tea sets, and cliffside thrift stores.
The works discussed today are Sandstorm, 1932; Orbits. 1934; and The Blest. 1941.
The featured music today is "Doug and Mike Starn" by Rob Lynch & Jonathan Hughes from the album Public / Private
Pick up our new Art Slice Museum Shirt by Son Siwakorn here: https://www.artslicepod.com/shop
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Previous Episode
19: The Giottosphere - Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel frescoes
Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker are back to take you way, WAY further back than ever - to the Giottosphere where they explore the frescoes of Italian artist and architect Giotto in the Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel - an Early Renaissance masterpiece.
Be sure to listen to all the cuts that didn’t make it into the episode on our Patreon.
Pick up our new Art Slice Museum Shirt by Son Siwakorn here: https://www.artslicepod.com/shop
Join them as they discuss Giotto’s early life from his humble shepherd boy beginnings to his coming of age as a prodigy under the (former) GOAT painter Cimabue.
Giotto’s talent, personality, and fame landed him his most famous commission: the Scrovegni Chapel - commissioned by LendNation Loan Shark CEO Enrico Scrovegni - where he depicts the lives of the Virgin Mary and Jesus (oh, the irony).
At the end of Medieval times and on the cusp of the Renaissance, Giotto’s work reminds his audience that art can, in fact, depict actual humans through the use of attention to details like a figure’s emotional expression, babies (no, not shrunken men), the curl of a sheep’s wool or the drapery of a figure’s clothing. Giotto’s realistic and natural style would go on to inspire Renaissance masters like Michelangelo as well as stir emotions within those who experience the chapel
Topics include: medieval flyswatters, T-clinic lawn signs, Lord Farquaad haircuts, and ancient comets.
You can experience 360 VR of the Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel here.
The Art Pantry this week is Trompe L’oeil.
The song featured in this episode was “En attendant domain (Waiting for Tomorrow)” which is one of a hundred incredible songs by Rrrrrose of Loyalty Freak Music. Support Rrrrrose’s mission to create queer, free music against Capitalism and Fascism on Patreon. Consider supporting their work!
Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show:
Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram.
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Next Episode
Viridian Green - Art Slice Museum Laboratories Division of Color Theory & Color Studies
In its’ inaugural episode, the Art Slice Museum Laboratories Division of Color Theory and Color Studies presents . . . VIRIDIAN.
Join us as we discuss VIRIDIAN’s varied and noxious history involving the Ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Paolo Veronese. We also get into the weeds regarding our associations surrounding VIRIDIAN through data compiled by the Art Slice Pantrémon from clinical participants (listeners).
Support us on Patreon here and/or grab some merch: https://www.artslicepod.com/shop
There is also a heated debate regarding a undecidedly viridian colored couch - be sure to cast your vote:
The song featured in this episode was “I need to do it to be alive” by Soft and Furious from the album Diving in the Self which is one of a hundred incredible songs by Rrrrrose of Loyalty Freak Music. Support Rrrrrose’s mission to create queer, free music against Capitalism and Fascism on Patreon. Consider supporting their work!
Reviewing, subscribing, liking, and sharing really helps support the show:
Follow us on twitter, tiktok, youtube, and instagram.
Support us on Patreon here and/or grab some merch: https://www.artslicepod.com/shop
Consider subscribing and leaving us a review on apple podcasts.
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