Art Class: Vintage Abstract Prints on Market Publique

There are some fabulous pieces with abstract prints up on Market Publique right now. Since painting is one of my favorite things (I was a Fine Art major in undergrad), I've collected a few garments and some paintings they remind me of.

Abstract and non-representational work is particularly appealing to me. Having not painted for a couple of years now, these prints have really inspired me to at least go to a museum soon. Hopefully I will get a jolt of inspiration and actually pull out the paintbrushes!

My favorite museum in New York is the Whitney, so I'll probably head over there this weekend... Although I do love the MoMa and the Met too. Still, the Whitney is just a much more manageable size. And while we are on the topic, have you seen the Brooklyn Museum's website? It's the BEST! I mean they have social media sharing tools and an API, how cool is that?

The Garment: 80s Abstract Pleated Dress, Crush Vintage on Market Publique

The Painting: Cy Twombly, Untitled, 1989. Image from here.

The funny thing is, this dress could have been made around the same time as the painting! Could it be a real reference? Also, Cy Twombly is undeniably one of my favorite artists. I saw the reference on the dress not only in the red orange and purple color combination, but on also on the round blotches and drips that create the painterly texture.

The Garment: Vintage 80s Fendi Tiered Ruffe Dress, Chitown Vintage on Market Publique

The Painting: Helen Frankenthaler, Other Generations, 1957. Image from the National Gallery of Australia.

I love the muted, almost pastel colors and the watery quality of the strokes on both the painting and the dress.

The Garment: Vintage 80s Abstract Jacket from The Frippery on Market Publique

The Paiting: Bridget Riley, Movement in Squares, 1961. Image from Wikipedia.

I think the reference here is quite evident. The right sleeve of the jacket could be a homage to a different Riley piece. Plus Riley also used red and blue in many of her paintings to create interference patterns and optical illusions...

The Garment: 90s Abstract Print Romper, Erstwhile Style on Market Publique

The Painting: Marsden Hartley, Painting N. 48, 1913. Image from Brooklyn Museum.

When I saw the crazy print of this romper, with it's bright colors & abstract print, I actually didn't have an artist that it reminded me of. But after browing the

Brooklyn Museum's website (they have tags!)

, I found this painting by Marsden Hartley that was just dead-on. See the large black triangle with smaller red triangles in the bottom left corner of the paiting? So similar to the abstract triangle motif on the romper, right?

The Garment: Vintage Vera Scarf from The Vintage Scarf on Market Publique

The Painting: Brice Marden, Attendant 5, 1996 - 1999. Image from Saatchi Gallery.

The orange, yellow and gray colors in the scarf are so similar to the ones in the painting. Plus it also has the winding, curving lines.

The Garment: Vintage 70s Marimekko Squiggles Print Dress, Ultramarine Vintage on Market Publique

The Lithograph: Robert Motherwell, Lament for Lorca, 1982. Image from Augen Gallery.

I was unsure if the print of the dress reminded me of Keith Haring or of Robert Motherwell more. But since the lines have a calligraphic nature (vs. a cartoony quality), I felt Motherwell was more appropriate. Then I browsed for an image and came accross this lithograph in almost the same color! Perfect.