1970s Art of Renee Radell

 

Artist Bio highlights.  Renee Radell’s 1970s art is best characterized as figurative art with strong social commentary art components. Radell’s artistic reaction to the Vietnam War and political mayhem was to generate a constant stream of paintings during this time with a visceral arsenal of satire, compassion and morality. Hints of surrealism began to emerge through references to a spiritual dimension, allowing relief and redemption for a wearying Mankind.

 

Art critics were not alone in marveling at the power of Radell’s imagery embedded in the premier painterliness of her 1970s art.  Man of letters Russell Kirk in 1974 drew important parallels between T.S. Eliot’s “permanent things” and the intellectual content of Radell’s social commentary painting in Detroit News Sunday News Magazine.  Renee Radell had emerged as a keeper of humane values through her art, a role that would mature further through symbolism, myth and allegory.

 

(scroll down for Renee Radell 1970s Art timeline)

A painting of people in the middle of a mural.
1970

Exhibitions continue in the Midwest including Chiara Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tide wins 1st prize at Schuss Mountain National Art Festival, Mancelona, Michigan.

A painting of four men sitting at a table.
1971

Paintings express increasing concern with Vietnam War.

A painting of a table with fruit and a clock.
1972

Becomes Artist-in-Residence at Mercy College of Detroit and for next 10 years, teaches anatomy, life drawing and painting.

A painting of a person standing on the ground
1973

Becomes Artist-in-Residence at Mercy College of Detroit and for next 10 years, teaches anatomy, life drawing and painting.

Three men in suits and ties are walking.
1974
A painting of people and trees in the background.
1975

Awarded a faculty grant from Mercy College of Detroit for post-graduate studies in graphics at College for Creative Studies in Detroit (formerly Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts).

A painting of people in the street with a yellow shirt.
1976
A painting of a man sitting on top of a box.
1977
A painting of a colorful circle and squares.
Late 1970s