An upcoming exhibition at Gallery 1261 brings together a range of works capturing the diversity of what can be considered Western imagery, from Michael Blessing’s neons to the graphic style of Reen Axtell to the panoramic landscapes of Linda Lillegraven.
Curated by Rose Fredrick, the show shines a spotlight on artists from the American West who are addressing contemporary issues and depicting the future of Western art.
David Carmack Lewis, In Recent Memory, oil on panel, 24 x 24 in.
Blessing has been at the forefront of the contemporary Western art movement for years, with his electrifying neon scenes. “There is something perpetually compelling to me about winter, when stillness settles over the landscape and peace becomes palpable,” he says of his piece in the show, Stillness at Twilight. “In these suspended moments between day and night, the world seems to pause to inhale, and it feels like everything is in harmony. I wanted to create a contemplative atmosphere with this piece, with the intent to explore and appreciate the concepts of rest and renewal.”
Linda Lillegraven, Beyond the Mountains, oil on linen, 18 x 24 in.
Axtell’s That’s What I Do is acrylic and mixed media on cradled board. “I’ve always been drawn to vintage photographs, old keepsakes and the stories that run through my family’s Western roots. They’re a big part of what inspires my work; I like to take pieces of the past and give them a fun, modern twist,” says the artist. “When creating That’s What I Do, I started with a vintage black-and-white photo from around 1901. The cowboy’s bravado caught my eye—his rearing horse and leather chaps decorated with silver medallions. From there, I painted the background with layers of acrylic paint, then kept adding, scraping back and rebuilding, mixing in marks, transfers and collage until the image felt complete. I love mixing vintage images with bold, abstract backgrounds. It gives a fresh spin on how we think about the West.”
Michael Blessing, Stillness at Twilight, mixed media, 40 x 72 in.
In David Carmack Lewis’ In Recent Memory, a lone house sits among a field of golden grasses, beneath a dark and dramatic sky. “This abandoned house sits out on the open high plains of Eastern Oregon, north of Condon. It’s not that old. That’s what struck me most about it. The sun and wind and rain did a quick job of stripping the paint and weathering the wood, but one can tell by the structural integrity of the place that this is not some relic from old farming days. It’s much newer than that, but already haunted. It reminded me of a quote I heard somewhere recently, that we are all just ghosts in training,” says Lewis. “The title In Recent Memory was simply meant to convey how the recent past can somehow feel much more remote in time and somehow, simultaneously, timeless and eternal.”
Reen Axtell, That’s What I Do, acrylic and mixed media on cradled board, 30 x 24 in.
Icons for a New West hangs at Gallery 1261 from January 8 to 30. An opening reception will be held Saturday, January 10, from 6 to 8 in the evening. —
Gallery 1261 1261 Delaware Street, Suite 1 » Denver, CO 80204 » (303) 571-1261 » www.gallery1261.com
Powered by Froala Editor
