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Severin Haines, Curator
The term "primitive" is often used to describe an artist who is self-educated, employing a simple naive style. The paintings of a "primitive" will often have a directness and clarity of purpose which is at times enviable for those artists who are more "sophisticated". The paintings of Finn Gudmundsson are a unique example of just such simplicity and directness.
In a recent discussion with my teaching colleague and fellow painter, Don Beal, I said that I envied the vitality of Finn Gudmundsson's shape-making and unabashed color and that I did not have the courage to be so direct in my own work. Don replied, "We know too much". It is true. Our education and cultural awareness will get in our way. Also, our established stylistic identities prompt us to resist such directness. We become trapped by our reputations for producing art of a certain character and sophistication.
It is in this light that I present to you the work of my late friend Finn Gudmundsson. |
