Phantasmaphile

Paul LeBlanc

Paul LeBlanc  "Rebus"

Here is Paul LeBlanc's interpretation of my all-time favorite alchemical symbol: The Rebus.  The rebus (sometimes spelled "rebis") is a hermaphrodite, usually winged, that is half king and half queen.  Essentially the hermetic version of the yin-yang, it symbolizes a union of opposites.  LeBlanc's entire body of work is gorgeous, consisting of assemblages which riff on alchemy and religion. 

Kelly Tunstall

These paintings by Kelly Tunstall really cheered my spirits, despite the gloomy NYC weather we're having.  They remind me of old French fashion illustrations.  With bunny ears. 

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Su-en Wong

Su-en Wong  "Eve Green"  2003

Do yourself a favor and click on the picture above to see it in all its glory.  Then make your way over to Su-en Wong's site and look at everything else.  I love each and every work, though her pieces in the "Newer Work" section strike a particulary strong chord with me due to their dreamlike sensibility.

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Jean Perreal

Jean Perreal  "The Alchemist Talking with Nature"

I couldn't find much information written in English about Jean Perreal, other than the fact that he was a French painter who was born in the 15th Century.  But I stumbled across this painting and was so capitivated by it that I just had to post it.  If anyone has further information (perhaps some of my French-speaking readers?), please share!

Susan Jamison

Susan Jamison  "Swallow Me"  2005

Wowee zowee, Susan Jamison's work is splendid!  She paints iconic images which suggest fairytales or myths.  These delicate works are created using egg tempera.  I would love to see them in person some day.

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Jen Corace

Jen Corace  "Growing into a Respectable Lady No. 5"

Brava for Jen Corace!  Her illustrative, childlike aesthetic is rife with apprehension and loveliness.  She will be featured in a group art show called Smitten at the Giant Robot shop here in NYC.  Opening reception is Saturday, August 26th at 6:30pm.  I am going to do my very best to be there!  (I believe Ms. Corace will be there, too.)

Masaru Shichinohe

I don't know much about Masaru Shichinohe (the site is not in English), other than the fact that he is an amazing artist.  His painted world is populated almost entirely by children (particularly a curious nurse-girl character), and straddles between whimsy and tension. 

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To Have and to Hold

I just finished reading To Have And To Hold: An Intimate History Of Collectors and Collecting by Philipp Blom.  Many of you know by now of my obsession with cabinets of curiosities, and so this book seemed like it would be a worthwhile read.  I found it to be extremely interesting at parts, and a bit dry at others.  The book is a mosaic of different historical figures through the ages and their strange obsessions and monolithic collections.  There are some utterly hilarious anecdotes such as this one (click on it to see it larger):

But then other portions are much less lively.  The book is at its best when Blom has his analytic hat on, and gives his interpretations of what collecting means, and why it is significant.  In sum, he posits that accumulating objects is an endless quest to stave off death.  However, why some people choose to collect thimbles while others seek Fiji mermaids is left entirely open to interpretation.  I thought this was an informative, if slow, read and recommend it to history buffs in particular, who might have a little more patience with fact recitals than I do.

Thanks, MUG!

Hey!  Phantasmaphile got written up in today's edition of MUG.  MUG is a fabulous newsletter about adventures to have and marvels to see in NYC.  You can get a sparkling new issue each day in your emailbox by subscribing here.  Thanks, MUG!

Laurie Lipton

Laurie Lipton  "Madonna of the Sacred Bones"  2004

Laurie Lipton is supremely skilled at charcoal and ink drawings.  Her work is nightmarish and exquisitely detailed.

Takeshi Yamada

Takeshi Yamada "Battle of Coney Island" (click on image for full detail)

I am bowled over by all of the various paintings and projects created by Takeshi Yamada.  Transplanted to Coney Island from Osaka, he creates pieces about sideshows, curiosities, and alchemy.  Truly, an artist after my own heart. 

Amy Cutler

Amy Cutler  "Army of Me"  2003

Amy Cutler paints in a manner that reminds me of old children's book illustrations, yet her themes are ageless.  I find her work to be extremely moving, and wonderfully strange.

Brief Break

Hi, fellow Phantasmaphiles.  I will be taking a very brief break from blogging, as I am in the process of moving my boyfriend into my apartment, and then going out of town for a few days.  Sorry for the pause of posts.  Back soon.  -Pam