Art is the Solution

Pioneers of the West Source: Smithsonian American Art Museum During the Great Depression, the American government created the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to stimulate the economy and employee out-of-work Americans. As part of this mission, the WPA hired artists and writers to produce works that celebrated American culture and history. Helen Lundeberg was one such artist. Lundeberg was one of the co-founders of the Post-Surrealism movement. Post-Surrealism was the Americanized response to Surrealism. It can be best described as a more socially conscious version of Surrealism. While traditional Surrealism tends to be introspective, Post-Surrealism looks outward. It focuses on creating a sense of wonder in the viewer and takes an interest in science. In some ways, it could be considered an aspirational style. Pioneers of the West is one of the paintings Lundeberg produced while working for the WPA. It depicts a group of pioneers with oxen and covered wagons setting off on a journ...

Double Portrait of the Artist in Time Source: Smithsonian American Art Museum I’ve written a lot about Surrealism on this blog, and, while I definitely enjoy Surrealist art, I have to say that recently I’ve been finding Post-Surrealism just as interesting. According to my research , Post-Surrealism was the Americanized response to Surrealism. It can be best described as a more socially conscious version of Surrealism. While traditional Surrealism tends to be introspective, Post-Surrealism looks outward. It focuses on creating a sense of wonder in the viewer and takes an interest in science. In some ways, it could be considered an aspirational style. One of the founders of this movement was Helen Lundeberg, an American artist who did most of her work in California. Her self-portrait, which is entitled Double Portrait of the Artist in Time , depicts Lundeberg at different stages of her life. In the foreground, we see Lundeberg as a toddler. According to my research , her white dress and ...