This week we looked in detail at the work of Anthony Browne. The particular focus was on his character Willy, who is a Gorilla, and the way that Browne's love of surreal art can be discovered through this character. Surrealist influences may include the work of Dali and Magritte, who both work in a similar style to Browne.
This links in with last week's post on postmodernism, as this book is full of irony and intertextuality as well as it drawing attention to the fact it is artificial.
The work of Anthony Browne is unlike any other that I have come across before. The way that art has been incorporated into picture books, in my opinion, makes the books a brilliant resource for using in schools. The culture that can be taught alongside this book can open the eyes of children to art who would never have the experience outside of school.
This links in with last week's post on postmodernism, as this book is full of irony and intertextuality as well as it drawing attention to the fact it is artificial.
The work of Anthony Browne is unlike any other that I have come across before. The way that art has been incorporated into picture books, in my opinion, makes the books a brilliant resource for using in schools. The culture that can be taught alongside this book can open the eyes of children to art who would never have the experience outside of school.
Venus - Botticelli (1485) I think that this would particularly appeal to children as it makes the painting less serious and more modern, as Willy is pictured here in the shower with much more modesty! The details such as the soap on the floor and the scarves on the monkeys means that there is plenty to look at and compare with children. |
La Grande Jatte - Seurat (1884-86) This piece of art has been done is fantastic detail with many humorous additions such as the idea of the Gorillas walking their pet human, and a picnic basket full of bananas. There is also a reference to the fact that the picture is an artificial concept by the addition of the paintbrush behind the woman instead of her cane/stick. |
Mona Lisa - Da Vinci (1503-06)
According to an article in The Independent (2005) the Mona Lisa is the most parodied piece of art in the world. One of these many parodies is seen in a painting by Anthony Browne.
According to an article in The Independent (2005) the Mona Lisa is the most parodied piece of art in the world. One of these many parodies is seen in a painting by Anthony Browne.
From the newspaper article, I found out that the Mona Lisa has on average 1,500 visitors per hour, which is an unbelievable amount. When I visited The Louvre in 2008 I was mainly surprised by how small the painting actually is! The article also goes on to mention why this painting in particular is so famous. At the time this style of painting (called sfumato) was seen as revolutionary by other artists at the time, such as Michelangelo. The 'obsession' with the painting began in the 19th century when interest rose in her mysterious smile.
The Creation of Adam - Michelangelo (1511-12)
This is another piece of renaissance art turned Gorilla along with the Mona Lisa. There is another reference to the artificiality with the paintbrush reaching out to Willy's hand. There is also the addition of what looks like a dog in the background, and the alteration of basket of eggs (one with a smiley face) at the bottom of the painting which separates the Sistine Chapel from Browne's picture books.
This is another piece of renaissance art turned Gorilla along with the Mona Lisa. There is another reference to the artificiality with the paintbrush reaching out to Willy's hand. There is also the addition of what looks like a dog in the background, and the alteration of basket of eggs (one with a smiley face) at the bottom of the painting which separates the Sistine Chapel from Browne's picture books.
Willy the Dreamer
This painting from Anthony Browne caught my eye as I was looking through some of his picture books. The way that bananas have been encompassed into the scene is brilliant and it takes a while to spot all the hidden bananas! (I've counted ten bananas). This picture also makes reference to many other stories, with the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, Humpty Dumpty from the nursery rhyme, and many others also from Alice in Wonderland.
This picture seems a good place to end this post as it perfectly sums up a postmodern piece of children's literature!
This picture seems a good place to end this post as it perfectly sums up a postmodern piece of children's literature!
A final summary of what makes a postmodern piece:
- Elevation of the ordinary (bananas - what else would a Gorilla need!?)
- The reader has the scope to interpret this image as they wish (deconstruction)
- There is a twist to the original idea
- Intertextuality (references to other stories/artists)
- Irony
- Attention drawn to it's own artificiality
References:
Books mentioned:
- Lichfield, J. (2005) The moving of the Mona Lisa The Independent, 2nd April. Available: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-moving-of-the-mona-lisa-6149165.html
Books mentioned:
- Willy's Pictures - Anthony Browne