CREATIVITY: AN ETERNAL MYSTERY

A Monthly Series Sponsored by Ginger and Stuart Polisner

ALICE NEEL

 

Thursday, October 18

at 7:30pm

In Person:

Filmmaker Andrew Neel

 

Members $9 • Public $12

Includes Reception • No Refunds

 

Alice Neel was one of the 20th century's most influential and prolific portrait painters. Achieving some fame eventually, most of her life was a struggle to gain recognition. When abstract expressionism was in vogue, portrait paintings were regarded too conventional. Not fazed by trends, Ms. Neel painted unceasingly until her death in 1984. Using the canvas as a window into the depths of the human psyche, her portraits reflected the emotional intensity of her subjects. Passionately dedicated to her craft, Ms. Neel used her talent to illustrate the true self of an individual. Ironically, her image was often romanticized because of the great suffering she endured for the sake of art and the complexity of her personality was overlooked. Alice Neel, the new documentary directed by the late artist's grandson, Andrew Neel, tries to transcend the myths of her life "in order to unearth the more difficult and intimate aspects of the story." In addition to rare archival footage and interviews of Ms. Neel, the film offers fresh perspectives from close friends and renowned artists like Chuck Close. The interviews with her two sons, Hartley (Andrew's father) and Richard Neel are especially valuable. Alice Neel was undoubtedly a difficult film to make. Indeed, Mr. Neel admits to having "struggled violently in a creative sense" during its production. Nevertheless, in the spirit of his tenacious grandmother, Mr. Neel manages to paint an intimate portrait that is penetrating and inspiring. -Matthew Garklavs

USA, 2006, 75 min., color . Director: Andrew Neel