Larry Calkins At Rice Polak this Friday!
The Rice Polak Gallery is excited to announce our fifth feature exhibition of the 2023 season. We will be exhibiting the work of Larry Calkins. This 2 week long exhibition will feature more than 40 works by Larry.
The show previews on Thursday August 31st and runs through September 14. The Opening Reception is on Friday September 1 beginning at 7pm.
LARRY CALKINS
“the chimes of tiger mountain”
Time & place: my personal history goes back 5 generations in one place. My ancestors crossed the plains and homesteaded in the Harlan Valley, in Oregon, where I grew up. People in the valley depended on each other and formed a tight knit community. They raised cattle, sheep, farmed and logged trees for a living.
Many stories circulated as spoken history – some mysterious, some tragic, some encouraging, and many remain perplexing. These stories come alive in my art. For the observer they likely remain obscure, but my symbolism transcends and makes the the heart of the narrative emotionally accessible.
I developed my own symbols that mark my narratives: for example, the burning house represents change and disruption. Other houses stand for stability and connectedness, a place to be from or to belong. Small houses dot green mountains and each one holds a mystery unseen.Rabbits and birds that populate my imagery are interchangeably good and evil, male and female, strong or weak. Appearances can be deceptive.
I am known for my dress sculptures. They appear plain in their countenance but are elegant in their simplicity. They embody the same symbolism but are abstract nature which allows the viewer to supply his/her own interpretation. I have been told of very strong emotional responses to my work.
Looking back to my childhood in the late fifties, life in the valley still seemed like that of pioneer times when a man could hack out a little clearing – as my father did – and with his own hands build a small shelter to raise a family. They survived with a few essentials. Houses were small and the work was honest. People didn’t plan to be rich, they just wanted to survive and be happy.
The Rice Polak Gallery is now open daily, Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings, online and of course by appointment. Please visit our website where you buy artwork directly. And if you are in town this Friday please stop by the gallery and experience this wonderful show in person.
Featured image above: “mayday” by Larry Calkins
