Everything Under the Sun --Art inspired by the sun

Here comes the Sun

 

This intense sun was painted by Edvard Munch, the same artist that painted The Scream.  A strategy Edvard used was to place his subject, the sun, in the center of the canvas to become the focal point. This is a seascape how can you tell?

Claude Monet was an Impressionist.  This painting named this style of art.  Impression, Sunrise takes Claude’s interest in light and color to new heights. Look at his focus on the sunlight's effects on the water. You will notice hazy silhouettes of rowboats, ships, and smokestacks but  the emphasis is mostly on the breaking sunlight.

The grayish sky contrasts with the bold orange sun.  Making the sun the focal point.

The Sunflower, 1907 by Gustav Klimt Girl with Sunflowers, 1941 (oil on masonite), Diego Rivera

Sunflowers track the sun.  Many artists have been inspired by sunflowers including Diego Rivera, Gustav Klimt and Vincent Van Gogh.

Sunflowers, third version: blue green background by Vincent Van Gogh 1888

Vincent did a series of sunflowers.  He wanted to create decorations for the studio in France that he’d share with his artist friend Paul Gauguin one summer.  Paul said the sunflowers were... essential ‘Vincent’ style.”  Vincent said it was his most accomplished work.

Artists can be inspired by one another, just like you.  Paul, painted his friend Vincent painting Sunflowers.  These two didn’t always get along but Paul still loved Viincent’s sunflower paintings and respected Vincent as an artist.  

Are Vincent’s Sunflowers a:

1. Portrait

2. Landscape

3. Still-Life

4. Or a Cityscape

What do you see that makes you say that?

Vincent van Gogh, The Sower, 1888

Vincent van Gogh loved yellow color. He adored it. He worshipped it. After all, he said that yellow stands for the sun

More landscapes by Vincent that include the yellow sun.

The Red Sun, 1950 by Joan Miro

As an artist you can choose the color you wish to represent the sun.  Like Spanish artist Joan Miro who painted the sun Red!

Castle and Sun, 1928 Paul Klee

In your art, does a sun have to be a circle?

What other shape besides a circle might you use to create a sun in your art?

Olafur Eliasson    The Weather Project, 2003

The Weather Project by Olafur Eliasson was an  installation in The Tate Modern Museum in London. A semi-circular screen, a ceiling of mirrors, and artificial mist was used to create the illusion of a sun.  Museum goers would see a massive, indoor sunset through the artificial mist emitted into the room

Sun Mask, Haida c. 1870

Masks have always played an important ceremonial function among tribal groups in the Northwest Coast. In Native American art, Sun is generally a symbol of life and creative power. Sun masks are used in  the retelling of stories because of the sun's role as creator and sustainer of life.  Think of how important the sun is.

Sun Tunnels

“As soon as I got to the desert, I connected with the place…” 

Nancy Holt was an artist who created installations on a specific site like in the Utah desert.  She was inspired by the solar system, the sun and the moon.

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In the tunnels, what do the cut out holes represent?

What is a constellation?

These tunnels are meant to be experienced and photographed.

The sun's light is experienced in subtle and ever-changing ways in Skyspace by James Turrell. In his permanent installation, Sunlight creates tranquil moments inside the space, where the changing light of the sky, alters what we see with our own eyes.

James Turrell Skyspace

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