Photorealist Glennray Tutor

John Martz | February 9th, 2010

photorealism_056.jpg

photorealism_050.jpg

Painter Glennray Tutor is a photorealist. I particularly like his series of marbles and romance comics.

Photorealism always seems to get a bad rap in our comments from those who dismiss the practice as having no artistic value other than precision. But I like this quote from Tutor’s site:

“It’s easy to dismiss photo-realist work as an exercise in surface obsession, but Glennray Tutor, a Jedi warrior of the style, has to be admired for his dedication to what Yeats called ‘the fascination with what’s difficult.’”

The marbles, comics, canned goods, candies, and toys — all rendered in bright, saturated colours — evoke a sense of childhood wonder, especially when you look at his body of work, and not just individual pieces.

Tags: , ,
  • I personally love this,
    It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.... maybe the colors, maybe a little of my childhood boyhood. Whatever the case, that is what art is meant to do, like it or hate it,
    make you feel something.
  • freecasimir
    totally fascinated by the work.
    the most psychedelic thing I have seen in a long while
  • Love the comic book page. The black and white with color splashes from the light of the marbles is a fantastic design element. Gives it a nostalgic feel, too.
  • But then again, I LOVED marbles, the color, the light. Slightly obsessed with staring at them as a small child ... :o}
  • Gotta admit, i'm one of the dismissers usually. But his work contains a self-referential quality that seems to boast indifference. While most photorealism is simply a display of skill, it's obvious that the artist is aware of his critics and therefore paints within quotations.

    Reminds me of a little thiebaud, rosenquist, and lichtenstein.
  • eshwin
    Ah, I meant that generally, not in specific response to Mike.
  • These photorealists always amaze me. I love Richard Estes and Chuck Close in particular. I hadn't heard of Glennray Tutor before, but thankyou for introducing me. Fantastico!
  • Estes and Close' early work was famous for its freshness. Since them, many photorealist artists across the world have far surpassed those skills. http://www.thetoyzone.com/2009/blog/10-awesome-images-that-are-actually-paintings/
  • eshwin
    Awesome ... nice to see photo-realism getting some props. Refreshing, actually ...
  • I'm one of those people who isn't a fan of photo-realist work, but I do admire the skill required to successfully pull it off. I think the subject matter makes a difference too. These pieces are visually interesting and beautiful. I love his use of colour.
  • sumosays
    Personally my thoughts on the photo-realist issue is that it's really only a problem when the photo realism takes center stage as a style to be clung to for fear of delving into something deeper. But I think any "style" can be used like a crutch like this. It seems to me that Tutor's work has a great deal going on in addition to and perhaps beside the realism. I like it.
  • Photorealist work, regardless of the name, is not purely photo copying - the artist still improves, tweaks, and clarifies things. I find there is a sumptuousness found in his paintings that you can't get from the photographs.
  • Photorealist work, regardless of the name, is not purely photo copying - the artist still improves, tweaks, and clarifies things. I find there is a sumptuousness found in his paintings that you can't get from the photographs.
  • A good choice of subject makes all of the difference. Personally, I'd rather make art from a photograph than make art into a photograph. But this guys stuff is art in my book.
  • Fantastic! I've always wondered how photorealists work is it directly off of photographs, not tracing them but using them for references as they draw or do they trace them?

    The effect however it's executed is stunning-I guess that's important-not technique.
  • aaroncostain
    Great composition and colours. The jars in particular make me think of Mary Pratt.
blog comments powered by Disqus