| Julie Mehretu (Ethiopia / USA, 1970-) When Jule Mehretu received a $5 million commission to create an 80 x 23 foot mural for Goldman Sachs, eyes fluttered. Yet few artists epitomize the 21st century like Mehretu. Magical, non-confrontational yet intensely complex layers unfold in works that are abstract yet decidely representative. People complain about artists who paint from projections, design with computers or use tape to mark straight lines. Mehretu does them all and uses teams of assistants to work large. She clicks many "negatives," nevertheless her work is honest and pure, unique and represents now. A fitting example of how digital can merge with traditional methods to create compelling art forms. View videos at http://www.art21.org/artists/julie-mehretu |
Julie Mehretu (Ethiopia / USA, 1970-) When Jule Mehretu received a $5 million commission to create an 80 x 23 foot mural for Goldman Sachs, eyes fluttered. Yet few artists epitomize the 21st century like Mehretu. Magical, non-confrontational yet intensely complex layers unfold in works that are abstract yet decidely representative. People complain about artists who paint from projections, design with computers or use tape to mark straight lines. Mehretu does them all and uses teams of assistants to work large. She clicks many "negatives," nevertheless her work is honest and pure, unique and represents now. A fitting example of how digital can merge with traditional methods to create compelling art forms. View videos at http://www.art21.org/artists/julie-mehretu
