Abrushstroke
of translucent color over pure white paper often defines a watercolor
painting. Sometimes the resulting image is wet and spontaneous; other
times contained and structured. You can see a variety of results from
this demanding medium as two exhibits highlight watercolor artists in
Milwaukee this month.
In “A Survey: Drawings and Paintings by
John Wickenberg,” which opens March 19, the Charles Allis Art Museum
presents an award-winner from the 2005 Forward Survey of Wisconsin Art
NOW. In addition to exhibiting his art both regionally and nationally
since 1967, Wickenberg achieved professor emeritus status at
UW-Whitewater. The current exhibition displays 35 pieces, primarily
watercolor and gouache paintings alongside delicate drawings in
silverpoint and graphite from the last 20 years of his artistic career.
Wickenberg’s images, which often depict a dried or decaying
presence, develop themes of nature by creating minimalist still lifes
and landscapes in tranquil compositions. Contrary to common watercolor
technique, where the white paper becomes inherent to the painting,
Wickenberg’s black backgrounds capture an opaque void where his plants,
nests and wreaths merely exist in silence, isolated from outside life
that could disturb their elegant yet fragile calm.
Even within
these black surroundings, several paintings suggest a playful peace,
such as Seven Gourds. In this picture, one round gourd delightfully
dangles from the upper borders of the paper, seemingly teasing the
twisted stems and curved shapes of the six remaining gourds below.
Wickenberg’s somber Still Life with Skull draws a shelf of gray wood to
uphold a lone animal skull, a blue marble and a Chinese lantern’s
shriveled blossom. Both paintings execute the precise details of the
natural world in muted colors to inhabit the abyss of dark space in the
background.
LaurelTurner,
curator at the Charles Allis Art Museum, says Wickenberg’s pictures
“impress upon you the importance of simplicity and sense of
composition.’’ A reception on Wednesday, March 19, from 5:30 to 8:30
p.m., opens the exhibit, which lasts through May 18.
Wickenberg also contributes to Racine’s
annual “Watercolor Wisconsin” exhibit at the Charles A. Wustum Museum
of Fine Arts, where he has claimed multiple honors over the years.
Another
exceptional group of watercolor artists, the Wisconsin Watercolor
Society, hosts a spring exhibit in the Suckow Family Art Gallery at the
Schauer Arts Center in Hartford,
March 22-May 11. This artistic society originated in 1952 with eight
watercolor artists from Wisconsin universities and colleges dedicated
to encouraging talent and knowledge in this appealing medium. Founding
painters included Earl Gessert and EmilyGroom.
Today
there are more than 100 members of the organization, which requires a
formal portfolio and application for admittance. In this first of two
annual exhibitions, more than 40 members will display 64 paintings
showcasing the Wisconsin Watercolor Society. A gallery reception
acknowledging these artists begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, to
celebrate the art of watercolor.
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