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'Work of Art' finale: Abdi Farah named the next great American artist
It's almost appropriate that the winner of Bravo's "Work of Art," a show that premiered with very little fanfare (though we loved the show), was the show's underdog, Abdi Farah.
The painter and sculptor has struggled a lot through the competition with last-minute inspirations, half-baked pieces and basically running in the middle of the pack. He was very seldom the winner, but he also wasn't the worst. So, he continued to move on.
Through the competition, though, he stayed very self-aware, knowing that he wasn't quite meeting his potential. And when it comes to artistic talent, sometimes that incubation period is just what one needs to create that wow-inducing piece that has been waiting to make its debut.
With Abdi's finale show, it seems that he hit that stride. His images of race and class with religious overtones captured in sculptor, sketch and photography seemed to hit all the right buttons and highlight his broad skills. Not to mention, he lucked out with a guest judge like David LaChappelle, whose own pop photography touches on the same topics.
We're not going to lie, though. We thought Peregrine Honig, the girl who grew up in a liberal commune and clearly loved every moment of it, was going to take the show. We're not mad at the judges for choosing Abdi, but her circus/country fair theme was magical, weird and sad all at the same time. Plus, she truly worked it out all season long and to paraphrase judge Jerry Saltz, we just loved having her in the competition.
So what of third place Miles Mendenhall? His work and attention-grabbing use of himself in his art caused his competitors to call him a typical art school student, self-indulgent, a faker and even a d-bag. Much of that we can't disagree with, by the way. His finale show hit the judges as a "work in progress." And it did seem he hadn't quite closed the loop on what he thought he was expressing in the work and that came across in the exhibit.
Do you agree with the judges? Is Abdi the next great American artist?
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Photo credit: Bravo
Photo credit: Bravo
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Yes, he is the next great american artist.
YES, YES, YES!!!!! The growth he made throughout the whole show was phenomenal!
Yes i do think the judges decision in choosing Abdi was the right one.. He is an amazing artist with emotion, compassion, technique and artistic ability.. Peregrines show was quirky and weird which i guess can be viewed as great art.. but to me, art conveys emotion and the depths of someones soul and I could feel every emotion Abdi was trying to portray.
Abdi had some missteps along the way, but he created some works that not only made me sit up and notice but also caused me to feel some true emotion for his art. He is young, and needs more experience, but I positively remember several of his creations. I cannot say they same for any of the other contestants.
Abdi totally deserved it! He had me nervous though because I really though Peregrine was going to take it, and I think she thought so too. I didn't start paying attention to her until she made that pony sculpture with the cigarettes, but I've been following Abdi since the beginning. I think he has so much potential and winning this competition is just what he needs to kick off his career as an artist. As for Miles...pfftt I never really cared for him. His attitude at times was a little put offish and I really couldn't see what the judges liked about him.
Have been an ABDI fan from fairly early on. YEAY ABDI !!!..Thought Miles had skill but was too much "the teachers' pet"---and mostly I DID NOT LIKE Peregrine's work.
Yet this Peregrine had some good to STUNNING pieces...notably the HORSE---and the beautifully formed CHILD"S HEAD! Makes most of her web and show work look like lame parodies of these beautiful pieces!!!
Peregrine stated (in a past show) that she regularly scanned porn for inspiration...But for this last show, the beautiful Fawn FEtuses (twin fawns taken from a dead mother deer) were her "MUSE".
ABDI regularly seeks inspiration in rich sources ---such as his brave mom---and in his Bible...Thus his work...married to his high skill set---and his pure heart---hits the high note...
Miles---too cerebral--too much ART SCHOOL-Dig deeper! You hint at deeper levels in your pixel---peek at the old man...Feed your SOUL! (HINT your continued friendship with ABDI is a start...learn from him)
Maybe Peregrine should continue to seek rich sources of truth & beauty...also. I truly didn't think she had any depth.
ABDI---exhibits a high note of truth & beauty in our officially "postmodern" time when truth & beauty are supposed to be dead...
See his website www.abdiart.com for more RICH images!!! Note also his child book...!!!
yes!! love him!! his statues were breathtaking... besides his work speaks to someone who doesn't look at art so often... that's saying something.
Heck YES!! Abdi's artwork deserved to win. I have to make this one valid point, most viewers were watching the show & through the tv screen, I felt so interested, invested & intrigued with his work & envy the few whom was able to witness his art hands on. I was moved!! I wanted more!! Such a phenomenal showing!! He's such a GREAT talent & I'm truely happy for him & his Mom. Work it out Abdi, can't wait to buy your pieces!!!
It was so nice that someone with actual technical skill won! Miles can build and P can spin a crazy story as well as cotton candy but Abdi had a voice as well as talent!
Peregrine's show was the best, by far. I'm shocked she didn't win. Miles' show was beautiful, but ultimately uninteresting. Abdi's work was very mainstream, and the concepts he played with has a certain pathos but I didn't find them moving as executed.
Peregrine, on the other hand, soared. Transforming her experience as a reality TV star into a wax carnival pony show was brilliant. Not to mention gorgeous. I didn't understand the judges objection to being so overblown. It WAS a carnival after all.