ICONS
icon ['aikon] n. sacred or monumental image, statue, painting, etc.; picture on a computer monitor to represent a command. iconic [ai'konik], adj. iconism, n. worship of images. iconoclasm [ai'koneklæzm], n. image-breaking; attacking of established beliefs.
The show was held as a physical and virtual exhibition utilizing a 3d walkthrough gallery, which was very Avante-garde for its time in the early 2000s.
The Icon series is very interesting because it covers so many areas of life. The titles of each painting combined with the “Iconic” imagery range from emotions and feelings to earthly creatures and even processes of nature.
This series doesn’t take the title “Icons” literally such as an image of a stop sign, but it approaches this title more conceptually.
"Icons," is a series of 31 small works, abstract paintings by Allan Linder created mostly in 2001.
Through a variety of techniques and imagery, the artist explores what it is like to be human.
Apparitions of Conjunction
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Atmosphere
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Aurora
5 x 7
2002
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Blues
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Botanica
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Central Park
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Climbing
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Contemplation
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Coral
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Endless Journey
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Evolution
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Half Asleep
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Happy Day
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Heaven and Hell
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Intricate Delusion
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Liquid Gold
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Parabola
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Passion Flower
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Pellucid City
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Perpetual Dreams
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Provoquer
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Ring of Fire
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Synthesis
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Terra
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Edge of Invention
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Poppy Fields
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Shades of Purple
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Wellspring
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Wild Oblivion
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Young Lovers
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
Footprint of Man
5 x 7
2001
Acrylic on canvas
Private Collection
For example the painting; “Footprint of Man” certainly is iconic in the subject matter that it approaches, but not in the literal definition. From a distance across the room, this painting may nearly seem invisible to the eye, but upon close inspection of this painting, there are so many small details that at first glance might easily be overlooked.
Starting in the upper left corner of the canvas, the first thing you may notice is that the blue sky extends into space revealing stars that seem to fill a transparent vessel. From the spout of the vessel, a drop of life-giving water or star seed gives way to a body of water.
The waterfall flows down a mountainous face and becomes a human foot at the bottom, leaving a footprint in ripples. There are translucent dinosaur bones that are found in the upper left that may symbolize extinction, or a beginning and an end?
In the lower right, the ghostly images of a dove transforming into a nude woman cradling what appears to be a dying corn stalk. There can be many interpretations of this imagery in this painting. I am sure you will find your own the more you look at it.
Overall, the painting has a nice balance and composition. The dusty earth tones used, seem to be the right choice for a painting like this.
This exhibition was well received and completely sold out.
