John Baldessari Pure Beauty at LACMA -John Baldessari prints available
No artist has bridged the gap between photography and painting quite like John Baldessari. For over 40 years, he’s given the world art that truly blurs the line between the two, normally thought of as separate arts. And for the most part, John Baldessari prints and his works have been well received by many critics and fans of all ages.
Now in 2010, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art-or LACMA-Baldessari is front and center to the Los Angeles crowd with his new show, “John Baldessari: Pure Beauty.” The show acts as a complete retrospective of his work, and gives an all encompassing view on the progression and growth of his art.
The whole retrospective begins with some of his earliest paintings, as Baldessari originally began his works as a painter. By viewing some of his paintings, dated around 1962-you really get to a great view on the marvelous beginnings of this prolific artist. Some of his earliest pieces are no doubt the roots of Conceptual Art. For example his work, “Tips for Artists Who Want To Sell” is one of his most famous pieces, and gives a humorous take on the role of the artist-and what an artist must to do captivate. The last line says “Subject Matter is important: It has been said that paintings with cows and hens in them collect dust-while the same paintings with bulls and roosters sell.” Quite clever for the work of a younger Baldessari.