Among the
most prolific, distinguished and knowledgeable, plus one of the last of a breed
of artist that is true to the hand and eye all are Jim Dine. He is one of the
original artists to be exhibited under the moniker; “Pop.” Dine continues to
work and explore the limitless realm of possibilities. Like his “Pop” peers he chose
to and works largely from established cultural icons. Dine’s work includes the
Venus De Milo, valentine hearts and the ubiquitously lively marionette
Pinocchio. Other favorites among his subjects are every day bath-robes, common
tools and further stepping outside of the “Pop” restraints; figurative studies.
Paintings, sculpture, charcoals and prints exist within his mastery of mediums
and forms. Dine is literally the “King of Hearts” in an ever increasing world
of soulless and mindless artists / creators.
Dine is
included in collections across the globe; the British Museum (London), the
Hirshhorn (Wash. DC), The Met (NYC), Centre Georges Pompidou (Paris) and both
MoMA (NYC) and San Francisco MOMA. He is
much sought after by collectors world-wide and especially in Miami Beach. I
learned this early last December at Art Miami where I was seeing an unusually
large number of his works exhibited. I asked Susan Dishell an LA based gallerist
in conversation about the abundance of Jim Dine works on view; this while
admiring one of her Dine Hearts. Susan said “Dine’s use of color vibrancy and his
painterly technique are a great fit with the character of the Miami collector.” It made perfect sense as we stood before the
painting she said was created especially for this most recent Art Miami fair.
Dine talks Dine
I’m a longtime
fan of Dine’s dating back a number of years and greatly admire his atmospheric,
richly textured and the vaguely unfinished quality in his works. The Dine Pinocchio
drawings are a hallmark of his many tools and skills. His illustrated edition
of the classic Carlo Collodi tale is fabulous. Being true to his “Pop” roots
the Dine works are a definite nod to the Walt Disney studios’ interpretation. While
he reflects the Disney esthetic; he goes beyond the Disney cartoonist’s visions
to a place of artistry, beauty and intrigue within his most effective efforts.
The former
teacher and heroic Jim Dine’s continuous outpouring of spirit and craft are
things of truth and beauty. Dine is to be celebrated, revered and many times
over admired. His ever expansive body of work enlivens and inspires ever
increasingly as it exists and surely grows for our own fulfillment.
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