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.
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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.
1971
Paintings express increasing concern with Vietnam War.
1972
Becomes Artist-in-Residence at Mercy College of Detroit and for next 10 years, teaches anatomy, life drawing and painting.
1973
Becomes Artist-in-Residence at Mercy College of Detroit and for next 10 years, teaches anatomy, life drawing and painting.
1974
The Detroit News Sunday News Magazine publishes an extensive pictorial article by Russel Kirk, man of letters and T.S. Eliot scholar, entitled “Renee Radell – She paints Confusion In Search Of Order” wherein Kirk draws parallels between the depth of Radell’s visualization of the human circumstance, and Eliot’s “permanent things”.
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).
1976
Lectures on “Imagery and Symbols in Art” at Hillsdale College Center for Constructive Alternatives, Michigan. Renee and Lloyd jointly exhibit new work and are panelists along with poet John Ciardi and writer Tom Wolfe.
1977
Continues printmaking studies at College for Creative Studies funded by a grant from Michigan Council for the Arts. • Hard-edged period at its peak.
Late 1970s
Extensive exhibitions with regional press coverage in Michigan and Ohio at universities and art galleries. • Moves with family to Farmington Hills, Michigan.
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