I just returned from a recent trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas which was host to the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. I saw a great film about the Low Brow art scene called “New Brow: Contemporary Underground Art,” directed by Tanem Davidson. And though I didn’t see it at the festival, I did buy a DVD of “Automorphosis,” directed by Harrod Blank. Several “art cars” were driving about through the city (as you can see from my photos) as part of the promotion of “Automorphosis.”
I was also fortunate enough to run into legendary artist Ron English. Of course I can’t just publish his art on here, but you can check it out on his website. Mr. English was also in attendance at the film festival. I had a chance to talk with him about the Low Brow art movement and some of the questions that “New Brow” raised. For instance, the dichotomy of low brow vs. high brow art and its role in blue chip galleries. As Mr. English pointed out, what is called “Low Brow” today has much evolved from the original Low Brow artists, and has gained popularity among top collectors. All in all, I think that aside from collectors, it’s the artists that champion the work. Galleries may see a distinction between what is considered high brow or low brow art, but its the artists that generate the excitement over the work and add to its credibility.
For more information about the film festival, visit www.hsdff.org. The festival ended as of October 25th, but you can still read more about the films. And if you’d like to know more about my own artwork, visit www.AmyGuidry.com.
