2002 EXHIBITIONS:
November
22, 2002-January 5, 2003 in the Thedinger Gallery:
Arthur
Kraft
Arthur
Kraft was a native Kansas Citian whose sculptures and mosaics
grace buildings and galleries in Detroit, Cincinnati,
Cleveland, Chicago, and New York City.
In Kansas City, his works adorn the exterior of the
Public Library, the Missouri Public Service Building, and the
Commerce Trust Company of Kansas City.
His work was often whimsical and humorous and he is
remembered as a kind witty man. although he experienced mental
illness and poor health throughout a good deal of his life.
Reed Anderson, a doctoral candidate from the University
of Kansas in Lawrence will be the guest curator for
this exhibition that documents the work of a legacy.
November
22, 2002-January 5, 2003 in the Campbell Galleries:
Holley Bakich
This exhibition by Holley Bakich consists of a series of ten sculptures about famous side show performers from throughout history. (A common form of the old sideshow was called a 10 in 1--ten “exhibits” in one tent.) Holley has long been interested in “freaks” and their lives, since reading at an early age the book, The Two about Chand and Eng Bunker, the original Siamese twins. She was taken in by the fact that sideshow people of the past accepted themselves as they were and saw the potential for a lucrative career free from an institution, where they could meet others like them selves and form special bonds. The figures created by Holley are made with leather and stand on an average about 12-17 inches. They are embellished with fabrics, beads, and accessories that bring them to life and allow the viewer to see the life that breathed from within. Holley resides with her family in El Paso, Texas.
September
13 - November 10, 2002 in the Thedinger & Campbell
Galleries:
Richard
Loftis: 50 Years
of Photography.
This exhibition, a 50 year retrospective of the work of mid-western photographer Richard Loftis. Richard Loftis is one of the Midwest’s most respected photographers. Since 1981 he has had 14 one-person shows and 20 invitational exhibitions of his photography. His work is contained in numerous private and public collections throughout the country including the National Museum of Art in Washington, D.C. He has been an instructor and artist-in-residence at the Kansas City Art Institute. Consisting of approximately 340 photographs depicting 12 distinct areas, the exhibition chronicles Loftis’ ever-changing focus. The areas of concentration are extremely varied and include: China, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Vietnam, Aircraft, Bogota, Kansas City stockyards, Yucatan, as well as landscapes, people and portraits, the human form, and images in nature. Richard Loftis currently resides in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
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Rhett Johnson: Beyond Lost June 7 - September 8, 2002 in the Thedinger Gallery
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| Rhett
Johnson has been making artwork out of junk since he was a
kid, growing up on a farm near Dearborn, Missouri, taking what
some may consider “pure junk”, the artist views as “pure
possibilities”.
On a whim, he began including his “junk art” at
shows and, to his surprise, found it outselling other pieces.
The familiarity of some pieces used in his work will
draw the viewer in.
Items such as coffee pots, coffee cans, old TV trays
and saws that have been discarded are turned into “living
beautiful old pieces of art.”
Rhett’s most recent piece was unveiled in this
exhibition.
A two story tall ship-like structure entitled “
Frozen in Time” is based on a story he read about a 17th
century cargo ship discovered at sea with the ship’s
passengers ‘frozen in time’.
The ship has a motor that gently rocks it back and
forth and colored glass below it that illuminates the piece
from within. His enthusiasm and creativity have been a source
of inspiration for large corporations, such as Sprint and
Hallmark Cards, who bring groups of employees into his studio
for inspirations and rejuvenation.
Rhett and his wife, Kelly, who is also an artist,
reside in Dearborn, Missouri where they create new works
daily. |
