Painting of the week: Ria Brodell
June 16th, 2009 by Menachem Wecker
Ria Brodell, “St. Anthony Finds G.I. Joe’s Gun,” 2009, gouache on paper, 11 x 15 inches. judirotenberg.com/
Looking at Boston-based exhibits in anticipation of an upcoming visit, I noticed a show of Ria Brodell’s work at Judi Rotenberg from the show “The Handsome & The Holy” (through July 11). Presumably, G.I. Joe would be the handsome, and St. Anthony is the Holy. See also “He-Man and St. Michael Find They Have a Lot in Common” (link) and “He-Man is Introduced to G.I. Joe” (link), which I am guessing are relevant in deciphering Anthony and G.I. Joe.
I’m not sure if this is relevant, but Brodell’s monks wear brown robes, which might relate to St. Francis’ “beast colored” tunic (and St. Anthony was a Franciscan). In terms of the violent element (G.I. Joe’s gun), there is a violent element to the St. Anthony story — he became a Franciscan to die a martyr like five other martyrs whose bodies were carried to his monastery en route to burial. Most importantly, he was the “finder of lost articles.”
There is clearly more to this painting than I have uncovered so far. Brodell’s other works invoke guardian angels and many self-portraits collaged upon other famous figures. I’m also working my way through Brodell’s website, but I thought I’d share the image above.
Hot Rod Anglican Says
I just love this kind of painting. I give you my hearty thanks for posting about it!!
–Paul
Jun 18th, 2009 at 4:31 am
Menachem Wecker Says
Thanks Paul. Did I miss anything about the work? Would love to hear more about what you like about it!
Jun 18th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Cathy B. Says
This is not my cup of paint. I find Brodell’s art to be a mixture of technical mediocrity, shallow visuals of Catholicism and its theology, and strangely creepy and narcissistic (which is not mutually exclusive!)paintings of himself as others…just because one graduates with honors from art schools and wins various awards doesn’t mean he’s any good — I’ve always thought that those “accolades” tells us more about the award-givers and their “cultural” efficacy than the creator of the artworks—”50 million Frenchmen can’t be wrong”? — I vociferously disagree. — Cathy
Jun 22nd, 2009 at 8:29 am
Menachem Wecker Says
Thanks, Cathy. I’d be very interested to learn more about why you think the Catholic references are “shallow.” Are you offended by them?
Jun 22nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm