Concerning the Spirit and Spirituality in Art
by: A'Dora Phillips & Brian Schumacher
February 16, 2016
“The sea communicates its message of spiritual awareness in a language whose comprehension seems to transcend the differences of culture and belief that ordinarily divide the diverse peoples of the earth. It is the phenomenon of this common response that I find very compelling.”
Download Interview PDF
In this oral history, which was conducted at the artist’s Amherst, MA studio and home in December 2015, George Wardlaw discusses:
- His art education—the Memphis Academy of Art and University of Mississippi—and influential teachers (Ben Bishop, Jack Tworkov, and David Smith)
- His career as a silversmith before he turned to the fine arts (painting and sculpture)
- His long-held interest in art and spirituality and what he sees as the difference between the spirit and spirituality in art
- His conversion to Judaism after growing up Southern Baptist
- Growing up in the segregated south before World War II
- His monumental commission, “Interior Garden,” for the Johnson Wax Corporation
- His concept of “energized art”
- The influence of Matisse on his work
- His work and working process, setting a painting in motion, craft
- How he’s working, now that he has macular degeneration
- His advice for young artists
Leave a Comment