Note on Art

Note on Art

A note from LeRoy Neiman on his artistic overlap with jazz.

This abbreviated note from LeRoy Neiman looks at the overlap between jazz and the artist’s style and process. Neiman, throughout the short note, repeatedly draws a parallel between this genre’s “polyrhythmic”-ism and his work. Furthermore, he underlines a kind of sense of danger or risk in working in this dynamic. Neiman writes, “When I work its like painting with no S N. / works with no safety net.” That said, the convergences between musical and artistic style, excitement and hazard embedded in the discussion occur on the plane of subtext, not overt declaration. Neiman starting in his early days as a Chicagoan felt a connection to jazz, as evinced by his vast collection of work addressing this textured musical genre and culture.

LeRoy Neiman

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

c. 1990-2011

LeRoy Neiman

Property of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation; please consult the organization's archivist for further details.

Notes

Image/jpeg

English

Document

LN_Notes_908

New York (N.Y.) New York

When I work its like painting with no S N.
works with no safety net.

spartan exits once teaching
not a necessary
self-effacement egoless
billowing streams of Jazz

polyrhythmic energy
a simultaneous occurrence of sharply contrasting
rhythms within a composition
Polyrhythmically
leading man in group

Pencil and felt-tipped pen on paper.