Superstroke vs Vorticism

Superstroke vs Vorticism

Vorticism, was a British art movement, that only lasted a few years, but was significant enough to be included in the book A History of Modern art.

By some it is considered to be the only significant British movement of the early 20^th century.

This movement was led by Percy Wyndham Lewis.

Although the movement did not last that long it produced some very interesting paintings.

Vorticism had only one exhibition at Dore Galleries in 1915, and Lewis described the movement as:

a) Activity as opposed to the tasteful Passivity of Picasso,

b) Significance as opposed to the dull and anecdotal character to which the naturalists are condemned

c)Essential Movement and Activity (such as energy and mind) as opposed to the imitative cinematography, the fuss and hysterics of the Futurists.

In the above it is obvious that the movement was significantly influenced by Cubism, not unlike Superstroke.

The manifesto for Superstroke is as follows

1. Paintings should be executed using expressive even violent brushstrokes on at least some part of the picture.

2. Should a photograph be used for a figurative painting, the objection should not be Photorealism, but Expressionism.

3. If mediums such as pen, pencil, etc are used, the pen and pencil strokes must at least be overly expressive for it to be considered a Superstroke picture.

4. Paintings can be executed in both the abstract and figurative.

5. Subject matters such as Africa, light, dark, life and death are encouraged.

6. Collage, Stencil and Calligraphy may be used for impact.

7. The concept, Art for the sake of art, does not apply in Superstroke. In Superstroke it is art for the sake of Superstroke, as the artist must always strive for paintings rich in texture, or excessive brush or pencil strokes.

In a sense the difference between the movements are that Vorticism focus on form as where Superstroke, have concerns with texture, and the execution of the brush stroke.

This article with photographs attached are on the following blog:

Superstroke as an art movement

The Manifesto written for Superstroke is as follows:

1. In Superstroke Paintings should be executed using expressive even violent brushstrokes on at least some part of the picture.

2. In Superstroke, should a photograph be used for a figurative painting, the objection should not be Photorealism, but Expressionism.

3. In Superstroke, if mediums such as pen, pencil, etc are used, the pen and pencil strokes must at least be overly expressive for it to be considered a Superstroke picture.

4. In Superstroke, paintings can be executed in both the abstract and figurative.

5. In Superstroke, subject matters such as Africa, light, dark, life and death are encouraged.

6. In Superstroke, Collage, Stencil and Calligraphy may be used for impact.

7. The concept, Art for the sake of art, does not apply in Superstroke. In Superstroke it is art for the sake of Superstroke, as the artist must always strive for paintings rich in texture, or excessive brush or pencil strokes.