Art Movements: Superstroke

Superstroke can be a term used to have an post modern art movement with its origins in South Africa. Superstroke is one of the influential art movements regarding African modernism and abstraction. The word “Superstroke” implies the super expressive brush stroke. The Superstroke art movement was founded as a a reaction to the impact how the Superflat art movement, founded by Takashi Murakami had on modern contemporary art.

Manifesto

The manifesto for the Superstroke art movement was designed in 2008 through the South African artist Conrad Bo and relates to various forms of how paintings within the movement need to be executed. This includes the statement that painting techniques should be produced by using very expressive brush strokes.

The manifesto also handles photography and states that expressionism is more important than photo-realism. Then the manifesto states that abstract and figurative art is allowed in

Superstroke.

 It goes further and states any particular one subject matter are encouraged, and also makes reference to an [African] theme. Finally the manifesto states how the concept of “art in the interest of art” will not apply, and those members of the movement must produce paintings with texture, and excessive brush or pencil strokes.

Influences

Even though the idea of Superstroke would be a reaction to Superflat, the paintings within the Superstroke art movement are heavily influenced by Alberto Giacometti, Pablo Picasso and Vincent Van Gogh.

Artwork

Art in Superstroke, differs from realism to abstract, monochrome and full painting color. Different media such as collage, charcoal and plaster of paris are employed. Paintings in Superstroke are also identifiable by the frequent utilization of mathematical signs for example plus, minus, and equal signs.