Arthouse 7: Alice Neel [DVD]

Alice Neel was one of the great American painters of the twentieth century and was chosen subject for Art Appreciation. I was first introduced to this DVD at an exhibition of her work.This DVD is fascinating. Very amateurish but interviews with her sons, grandchildren, lover and friends as well as talks with Alice and shots of her in her flat, attending her exhibitions and on the John Carson show make it a wonderful insight into her life and art.

This is a must view for anyone interested in art. It show's the artist influences through a life time story. Distilling all the pathways and closed doors that feed an artist's work. Alice's Neels much over looked view of her work as psychological. This film shows that she was aware of the view of people and the times they lived in.To often her work is considered as portraiture or illustration. But she was aware of the cultural significance of the clothes people wore and the way they sat and how that is a manifestation of the 'inner' person.This film shows all that. Excellent!

A very insightful documentary about the determined struggle to maintain creative output in the face of poverty and lack of recognition. And quietly overturns stereotypes about how women should look and sound in an image obssessed age.

I had seen this film a few years ago at an exhibition of Alice Neel's work in a London gallery and wanted to see it again.It's a very interesting and insightful film about the artist.

Insightful. Great presentation. Another great woman artist in a men's created art world