Review: Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs, MOMA
My grandparents were both artists. My grandmother taught me
how to draw; my grandfather how to paint: and they both appreciated Henri
Matisse. (Don't know this artist? Here is a lovely Henri Matisse website to go through his major works.) Back in High School, MOMA had an exhibit
of Matisse’s prints that left an impression on all of us who went. And in
college, whilst living overseas, I made a special pilgrimage to Vence, France to see the
chapel. So, I was especially excited to be invited to
a press preview of the Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs soon-to-open blockbuster
show at the Museum of Modern Art.
There is ton of discussion that you can look up about this
period in Matisse’s artistic life, the last 15 years or so, but for
the purposes and mission of this blog I want to focus on this aspect: this
collection, this incredibly fertile period of Henri Matisse’s artistic life was
created whilst he was wheelchair bound, even bed-ridden.
Look at the work.
Henri Matisse let nothing stop him or
define him from his life’s mission and purpose – not even being bedridden with illness and disease. He was compelled to do what he must: create
art. Any way he could. This was not a desperate, flailing attempt to recapture an
artistic life; he recreated himself and his art and elevated a form he
designed:
For me, for us perhaps, this is the great lesson of Henri
Matisse and this period of his artistic life, the lesson of the cut-outs to
anyone who feels held back, limited, restricted, by food allergies or any other challenge:
1. There is always a way.
2. Limits or barriers may be just the challenge you need to
find a new path.
3. Let nothing stop you from finding and enacting the grace
and beauty of your life.
Thank you, MOMA for this stunning exhibit!
It opens October 12, 2014 and runs through February 8, 2015. If you are visiting New York City this season make the Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs exhibit of your stops. Pssst: Admission is free on Friday nights
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