| Driven to Abstraction at the Kirkland Museum |
| Written by Ken Hamel | |||
Driven to Abstraction: Colorado Art from 1880 to 2007Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative ArtDecember 20, 2007 - May 4, 2008 Illusion, 1985, by Phyllis Hutchinson Montrose The Colorado Modernism show at the Foothills Art Center back in 2006 was an exceptional look into the history of homegrown abstract art, and the latest show at the Kirkland Museum Driven to Abstraction: Colorado Art from 1880 to 2007 covers not only the same ground as the Foothills show, but adds contemporary Colorado artists including Clark Richert and Amy Metier to the mix (who both had recent shows at Rule and William Havu respectively). The Kirkland is a real treat on the local scene and this is a show not to be missed. Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art 1311 Pearl St Denver, CO 80203 303.832.8576 http://www.kirklandmuseum.org (from the website) This exhibition traces the evolution of Colorado art from early traditionalism through surrealism and referential abstraction and finally to pure abstraction. These styles have provided a basis for contemporary art; producing artists continue to build an even greater legacy for this region. Although Kirkland Museum concentrates on modernistic art up to about 1980, some contemporary artists are also exhibited who currently work in modern styles. This includes painters Tracy and Sushe Felix, Amy Metier, Clark Richert, Virginia Maitland and Frank Sampson; sculptors Bob Mangold and Chuck Parson; ceramists Martha Daniels and Maynard Tischler. Driven to Abstraction has important traditional artists including Harvey Otis Young, Judge Richard Tallant, Walter Paris, Robert Graham, Clarence Durham and Allen Tupper True (known for his murals); surrealists including Phyllis Montrose, Herbert Bayer, Vance Kirkland, Frank Sampson and Margaret Mullin; referential abstractionists Al Wynne, Roland Detre, William Sanderson, Frank Vavra, Edgar Britton, Beverly Rosen, Bebe Alexander, Ruth Todd, Hugh Weller and Edward Marecak; pure abstractionists Pawel (Paul) Kontny, Nadine Drummond, Charles (Bill) Hayes, and Dorothea Dunlop.
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