Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Frank Soltesz - Storyteller

The tiny people in Frank Soltesz's factories and industrial plants seem, of necessity, like ants in a colony or worker bees in a hive -- their clothing largely indistinguishable from each other and their activities mostly unified in the process of completing some mundane task.

But when Soltesz painted cutaways of buildings like hotels and hospitals, he invested each tiny person with an individual identity. Through the unique characteristics and actities of these miniature people, Frank Soltesz truly became a storyteller.


What does the solitary man looking out the fourth floor corner window contemplate? Does he know about the poker game going on in the room below his feet? And as we peek in on room after room of people socializing, eating and working we have to wonder about the lonely fellow sitting in isolation in the basement corner boiler room.

Just as fascinating are the variety of the people and situations in the hospital. From the fathers admiring their newborn babies to the patients taking some fresh air on the rooftop patio to the dark humour of having the operating rooms located directly above the cafeteria meat locker, Soltesz gives us a god-like glimpse into the lives of a hundred unique individuals whose circumstances we can only begin to imagine.

Unfortunately, due to a torn corner, we may never know what transpired in the hospital's west wing...


If you haven't yet taken a look at my Frank Soltesz Flickr set, today is the day to spend a few minutes enjoying this wonderful artist's efforts in all its glorious detail!

4 comments:

  1. I love you blog, sorry for my inglish, its increable the information thanks you for the work

    view www.nomparella.blogspot.com

    bye

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  2. Thank you, daniela - and please don't worry, your english is just fine! :-)

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  3. I was googling my maiden name when I came across this site on my Uncle Frank who was a watercolor artist in Conn. I had no idea he did this kind of illustration. It is wonderful. I was surprised there is no biographical info. I can supply some if anyone is interested.

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  4. lawrence said...

    12/19/09
    I have 2 original watercolors by Frank Soltesz that I would like to sell. Excellent condition, acid free matts, both are fishing scenes. If interested, contact me at -

    Sorry Lawrence; please don't presume to use my blog to advertise the sale of your original art without asking my permission first.

    Thanks - Leif

    ReplyDelete