Ed Moses: Maverick Master of Morphological Mutations a Retrospective of the Still Very Much Active Artist at 90
His wife described him as the rudest boy she had ever met, yet married him shortly thereafter. In his defense, he did later become a Buddhist. His eccentric aunt dubbed him an artist almost from birth, after observing some early fecal wall painting he created from his hamper. Afraid of the teacher in his first art course, taken on a whim anyway, he sat in the last row but was discovered by the teacher nevertheless. He thwarted the authorities that be by having his UCLA graduate art show off campus at the Ferus Gallery in 1958, launching his career and a multi-decade relationship with the famed gallery. Later described by legendary art critic Clement Greenberg as “a player,” which he certainly was in every sense of the word, he has become a legend himself in the last 60 years, having compiled a prodigious oeuvre embracing multiple media and styles yet maintaining his unique but ever-changing perspective. This is Ed Moses, artist.
Today, at 90, he still paints vigorously every day, working outside and working on 8 – 10 creations simultaneously. A piece is ready, according to the artist, when it “shows the light.” Moses obviously has seen and continues to see the light, in a career driven by a desire not to harness but convey the human spirit in all its complexities. For Ed Moses, it is not the product but the process, not the action but the acting, and this is where he still is, daily.
Like every great artist, Ed Moses’ work is best not described, but felt. A few of his pieces, which particularly impacted us, are shown here.
Moses@90 opened on the birthday of the iconic artist at the William Turner Gallery in Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. The show gives us a seriously delectable sample of Moses’ works and a multitude of art lovers were present at the opening to visually digest the delicious fare, including the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, who had this to say: “I enjoyed the show very much and am a big supporter of Ed’s work, just as I am an avid supporter of art in our city and its artists.” Alas, Moses himself was indisposed and could not attend but the opening was streamed live to his hospital room. The artist did make a quick recovery and, when more than thirty works from the original show sold, Moses, with both alacrity and aplomb, produced more simply dramatic pieces which led to a companion show, Moses@90 Phase Two, also at the Turner. Wow! Moses was able to attend the Phase Two opening, and even offered a guided tour.
The exhibition is so vast that it is housed in two different locations, which are juxtaposed: Phase Two is in the Turner Gallery itself and the original exhibit occupies an adjoining space rented by the Turner for this show.
The Turner is to be commended for its striking and artistic display of the Moses works. We found particular allure in the side-by-side three-color field paintings, which seem to shine out and urge the viewer to come hither. This triptych hung majestically over the room, with the one in yellow yelling the loudest.
Also appealing was the mirror room, an exacting study in artistic license to wow the viewer. Scattered amongst the mirrors (the mirrors had knobs protruding from them) were the craquelure paintings, representative of a Moses interest in the 90’s.
The newer works in the Turner itself were flat out stunning, just enrapturing the observer.
William Turner wanted to present a broad view of the Moses experience, and he succeeded magnificently in that endeavor. The erudite Mr. Turner admiringly describes Ed Moses as a truly nonconformist and inexhaustibly experimental painter. Indeed, Moses has been both a fixture in and embodiment of the LA art scene for an astounding seven decades!
Citing the historic increase in the value of recognized art, that upward path having seemingly overcome all temporal travails, Turner, when pressed, implies that if one is looking to buy, now is the time for a Moses, but he leaves that decision to the viewer, who, having just seen the show, cannot but be impressed by the logic!
Moses@90 and Moses@90 Phase Two, at the William Turner Gallery in Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station until July 30, 2016, are must exhibits not just for the art cognoscenti but for all seeking inspiration, which indeed one will find in both the life and work of Ed Moses.
And what a treat this exhibition has been: first the opening with the Mayor of Los Angeles, Note, Ed Moses could not attend but watched the opening which was streamed live into his hospital room. Second, 30 paintings were sold and Moses with alacrity and aplomb painted more to fill the empty spaces in the gallery. Another gallery opening where Moses would attend and give a guided tour, followed by a brunch and then attendees took the metro to Union Station where music filled the rafters.
And what a treat this exhibition has been: first the opening with the Mayor of Los Angeles, Note, Ed Moses could not attend but watched the opening which was streamed live into his hospital room. Second, 30 paintings were sold and Moses with alacrity and aplomb painted more to fill the empty spaces in the gallery. Another gallery opening where Moses would attend and give a guided tour, followed by a brunch and then attendees took the metro to Union Station where music filled the rafters.