A vanguard of the art movement know as Photorealism and proprietor of the Louis K. Meisel Gallery in SoHo, Louis K. Meisel has made art his life. His 1996 book The Great American Pin-up came across our desk and we contacted Mr. Meisel to get his insight on his specialty.

FF: How would you describe your gallery’s mission and vision?

My focus after inventing the word PHOTOREALISM in 1969 and assembling a number of artists under that genre has been to represent, present , promote and collect the finest post modern, art history making realist painters and sculptors in the world. I believe I have done that.

Robert Neffson
"Notre Dame De Paris", oil on linen, 52 x 74"

FF: Would you give us your expert definition of Photorealism and its subsets?

The Photorealists use the camera, film, digital devices and  now computers to gather and assemble the images they will use make paintings. The imagery and composition is POST POP….NOT academic. They have the greatest technical ability ever seen in art. That of  course is frowned upon as politically incorrect because very few have the skills and DISCIPLINE to do it and are therefore excluded from "sharing the wealth" . The word "quality"  which DOES apply to the Photorealists is racist and  sexist according to Michael Brenson:

      At the opening of "The Magicians of the Earth," the gigantic exhibition of contemporary art in Paris last summer, I mentioned to another American art critic that I found the selection of Western artists troublesome. I also said that some of the non-Western artists were not very good.

      "Ah, the quality issue," she said, with a wary smile that told me in no uncertain terms that this was an approach to the show she wanted no part of. Ah, the quality issue! Unlikely as it may seem, this common, everyday word has become a lightning rod for a stormy debate in the art world. Swirling around it are arguments over the virtues of form versus content, Western values versus non-Western values, men versus women. Although the debate might seem a parochial one, confined to art and academic circles, it is affecting not only the art of today but also the thinking of an entire generation.

      There may be no more divisive word in the art world just now. Perhaps no word inspires more devotion among its supporters and more anger among its detractors. Perhaps no word exposes more deeply the present conflicts about art, standards, multiculturalism and American culture in general.

Tom Blackwell
"Ralph Lauren" , oil on paper and board, 10.25 x 13.25

FF: Tell about your current exhibitions.

The galleries in SoHo and 57th Street continue to show the finest post modern realist painting and sculpture in the world. Up and coming, Tom Blackwell, Robert Neffson, Raphaella Spence, Bertrand Meniel, and POP artist Mel Ramos.

FF: Do you have any words of wisdom for our artists and painters?

Learn to draw, and study 3000 years of art history. Don't worry about or bother with the past 2 decades or so.

FF: What do you look for when you view a new artist?

Innovation in PAINTING and Sculpture in the area of realism. Skills and DISCIPLINE and an indication of the hard work it takes to be a REAL ARTIST, not one who sells piss and elephant shit.

Audrey Flack
"Shiva Blue" , 1973, oil over acrylic on canvas, 35 x 50"

FF: Why would an artist approach your gallery?

Because they are a fine realist artist and know we are the best gallery in the world in the genre.

FF: What artists would you recommend as inspirational?

That must come from within!

FF: What are your thoughts about current art movements?

Look to the best of the past for something of visual interest as far as painting and sculpture are concerned.

FF: How has the internet (digital art) affected gallery visits?

Digital art is just that. Digital….on the cloud. No gallery visits are needed.
OR yes, some do wish to have scans sent from which they want to buy art. I am old fashioned. My collectors have to and want to stand in front of the art they are considering. In my gallery art is acquired by those who LIKE what they see, want to take it home and display it in their homes and enjoy LOOKING AT IT. Not common in today's so called art world.

sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/22/arts/art-view-is-quality-an-idea-whose-time-has-gone.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/762693/Photo-realism

http://www.meiselgallery.com