Charley Harper (4 August 1922 — 10 June 2007) "When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don't see feathers, fur, scapulars, or tail coverts - none of that. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior, and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts, and herein lies the lure of painting: In a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe."
Transcript
Charley Harper (4 August 1922 — 10 June 2007)
"When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don't see feathers, fur, scapulars, or tail coverts - none of that. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior, and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts, and herein lies the lure of painting: In a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe."
About Charley Harper - Charley Harper had a unique minimalist approach and it’s now unmistakable. From his groundbreaking mid-century illustrations for Ford Times Magazine and Golden Books and his posters for the National Parks and other wildlife organizations, to his serigraph and giclée prints, Charley Harper's art is an inspiration to an entire generation of artists and designers.” Charley Harper had an alternative way of looking at nature. His serigraphs are large expanses of rich color which give the a very different perspective on the animal kingdom. Harper revealed the unique aspects of his wildlife subjects through highly stylized geometric reduction. Harper said he is "the only wildlife artist who has never been compared to Audubon," yet his wildlife art is just as instructive - the only difference is that Harper laced his lessons with humor. Harper believed that humor makes it easier to encourage change in our attitudes and awareness of environmental concerns. There is a rare and delightful playfulness in Harper's artwork. Harper said, "When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don't see feathers, fur, scapulars, or tail coverts - none of that. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior, and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts, and herein lies the lure of painting: In a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.” Harper developed an early appreciation and love of animals as well as design. Gradually, Harper began to lose his interest in realism. "I felt shackled by the laws of perspective and shading and decided that the constant attempt to create the illusion of three dimensions on the two-dimensional plane of the picture was limiting to me as an artist. Realistic painting persuades the viewer that he is looking into space rather than at a flat surface. It denies the picture plane, which I affirm and use as an element of design. Wildlife art has been dominated by realism, but I have chosen to do it differently because I think flat, hard-edge, and simple.” In his artwork, Harper imaginatively investigated the similarities between human and wild animal behaviors, but completely without anthropomorphism. "I learn as much as I can about the creatures that interest me, and they all do. I observe them and find out how they interact with each other and their environments and ask myself, 'What if?'"
Influences - Harper contrasted his nature-oriented artwork with the realism of John James Audubon, drawing influence from Cubism, Minimalism, Einsteinian physics and countless other developments in Modern art and science. His style distilled and simplified complex organisms and natural subjects, yet they are often arranged in a complex fashion.
John James Audubon Pablo Picasso - Cubism
What I think about Harper -
I am overly lucky to have chosen such a wonderful artist, not only is his work instantly inspirational I personally feel it suits my current style, designing a whole city based on Charley Harper’s style or interpreting it seem now more like an adventure than a daunting task, I will be sticking to the main guidelines and keeping things minimal and mostly still keeping to my current way of painting but now experimenting with basic colour shapes and patterns. Given Harper is a nature artist I could get inspiration easily for the environment no problem, just that when it comes to designing multiple homes I may struggle, but again keeping to the basic principles of minimalism and looking at more shapes I should be able to generate multiple ideas.
