Jack Levine, Visiting Artist Lecture 1972

Jack Levine gives a lecture at Skowhegan talking about his artistic practice. Levine explains that learning to draw can allow artists to reinvent things not yet seen or imagined. Levine mentions the importance of studying the great masters of the past has had for him, for this allows him to try and grasp their methods and techniques. Levine states to the participants of the importance for him to root his work in the art of the past. When he does this it allows Levine to understand that art is about the history of man, and it is humanly oriented to creating a record of what man has passed through. Levine then goes on to show a series of slides talking about his drawing and painting practice and the many historical artists who have influenced him. Levine’s interest in the history of painting looks at its many material shifts; from oil to stain glass to even sculptural forms. Themes of identity, religion, politics, technology, orientalism, and historical memory serve as the subject base for Jack Levine’s work. Ambiguity is also very important for Jack Levine and he profoundly believes in social content in his paintings by making these ideas explicit. Levine ends his lecture talking about his experiences serving as a faculty member at Skowhegan as well.