George Segal20th Century Artist

Study of form, emotion and the surroundings

American Painter and Sculptor

Painter 1950’s started figurative painting Early work considered pop art

Sculptor Examined relationship of fine art to

popular art forms Reference to individual place in mass

culture

Philosophy

life-size plaster human sculptures Human figures in space and related surroundings Influenced by Edward Hopper Attention to attitude and

gestures Rural and urban settings

Nighthawks (1942) close up

Edward Hopper Examples

CAPE COD MORNING ROOM IN BROOKLYN

Edward Hopper Examples Cont.

ROOM IN NEW YORK SUMMER EVENING

Edward Hopper Examples Cont.

SUMMER IN THE CITY SUNDAY

Medium

Cast plaster molds of living figures Attempt to lock to them in time in

constructed environment

Process

Select situation Select a person and pose Cast figure, sometimes in clothing Soaked bandages in plaster and

applied and shaped them to the body

First works

Man Sitting at a Table (1961) Used only outside unpainted surface

of cast Abstract, impressionistic,

disembodied and anonymous quality//depersonalized social settings

First works examples

MAN SITTING AT A TABLE (1961) NOTICE!

simple almost sterile environment

anonymous//depersonalized nature

abstract and impressionistic

What is the emotional quality?

What do you think about when you view this?

Later works

Parking Garage (1968): Poured industrial plaster inside cast to capture details of expression and physical form: more life-like

The Corridor (1976): cast and painted in vivid colors as metaphors for “rosy disposition” “blue funk” and “a black mood”

Later works examples

PARKING GARAGE (1968)

THE CORRIDOR (1976)

New Approaches

Fragments and groups of figures in social settings

Sound and lighting effects Cast still-life scenes from works by

major modern artists: Picasso’s Chair (1973)

New approaches examplesGEORGE SEGALPICASSO’S CHAIR (1973)

PABLO PICASSOTHE CHAIR

Similarities? Differences??

George Segal Sculptures

George Segal Sculptures Cont.

George Segal Sculptures Cont.

George Segal Sculpture Cont.

George Segal Sculptures Cont.

George Segal Sculpture Cont.

George Segal Sculptures Cont.

George Segal Sculptures Cont.

George Segal figuresCo-Curricular Lesson PlanArt 3 and 4 and Creative Writing1. Choose either half figure or full figure to cast in plaster

using plaster strips. 2. Cut the strips into three long smaller strips.3. Apply Vaseline thoroughly to all skin that will be covered

by the strips or tape plastic over clothing.4. Wet strips and wrap them, one by one, around one body

section at a time until it is completely covered5. Let strips heat up and dry. (may need hair dryer to speed

the drying process)6. Cut slits down the side to remove body part (i.e. arm)7. Carefully remove the hardened plaster surface8. Repair slit with strips or pure wet plaster9. Can (not at all required) paint sculpture when it dries

Media

Fromthis

To this

Works cited

Kristine Stiles. “Segal, George.” Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. 25 Nov. 2008 Images <http://www.oxfordartonline.com.proxy.lib.muohio.edu/subscriber/article/grove/art/T077360>

Images: www.metmuseum.rog/…/

2000/images/2001.57.L.jpg http://www.artres.com