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.
Exhibitions continue in the Midwest including Chiara Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tide wins 1st prize at Schuss Mountain National Art Festival, Mancelona, Michigan.
Paintings express increasing concern with Vietnam War.
Becomes Artist-in-Residence at Mercy College of Detroit and for next 10 years, teaches anatomy, life drawing and painting.
Becomes Artist-in-Residence at Mercy College of Detroit and for next 10 years, teaches anatomy, life drawing and painting.
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).
1960s | Timeline Index | 1980s