Notes

Notes, News, and Musings. 

The South's Best

THE SOUTH’S BEST 

 One of the highlights of Greg Thompson Fine Art’s season is the “Best of the South” exhibition, which opened Thursday at the North Little Rock gallery. 

    The show features more than 20 artists from around the region and pays homage to some of its historic giants — Thomas Hart Benton, Clementine Hunter and Carroll Cloar. Gallery patrons will see other familiar names represented, including photorealist Glennray Tutor and photographer Millie West, both of Oxford, Miss.; magical realist painter Sheila Cotton and sculptor Robyn Horn, both of Little Rock; Memphis-born photographer William Eggleston; and Edward Rice of Augusta, Ga., known for paintings of Southern architecture. 

    Rice’s Icon may be the show-stopper. A brightly painted piggy bank in a yellow dress with high white collar, sporting huge red lips, fills a 60-by-48-inch canvas. It is laugh-out-loud funny, but after the chuckles subside, a wry commentary on wealth and greed emerges. 

    Three oil paintings by Arkansas State University associate professor of art John Harlan Norris from his “Occupants” series are eye-catching, colorful works of people beneath headgear made of objects that are keys to their self-identity. The works provide a pointed commentary on materialism’s impact. 

    Also memorable are a gorgeous oil cotton field landscape by Cotton, Pinkney Herbert’s abstract pastels and Thompson’s lovely impressionist works with a fauvist color sense. 

    “The Best of the South,” through Nov. 15, Greg Thompson Fine Art, 429 N. Main St., North Little Rock. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. gregthompsonfineart.com, or (501) 664-2787. 


#ARTBEAT #ELLISWIDNER #COLUMN #ARKANSASDEMOCRAT-GAZETTE 

Film Screening

Please join me Thurs. Sept. 4, 6–8 p.m, to view the premiere of Preservation of Place: The Art of Edward Rice, a film produced by the Morris Museum of Art, Augusta Georgia, that documents me and my work. Afterwards, enjoy a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker Mark Albertin and me & a reception in the museum galleries. FREE.

Thoughts on the New Work

I have been asked to share my thoughts on the new work. Well, to start, perhaps this work is more personal? The motif is based on an old piggy bank I dug out of the ground many years ago. The object is five inches tall. I depicted it five feet tall. I like big shapes, they have power. As for the PIG, I made it part animal, part human, and of a questionable race and gender (even though it is wearing a dress). Of course the whole thing is symbolic - big red lips where the money goes, etc. Thanks to all for your interest.

VENTE D'ETE! Exhibition, Rebekah Jacob Gallery

VENTE D'ETE! An Exhibition of Works on Paper, on display through September 8 at the Rebekah Gallery in Charleston, ScoutCarolina, highlights the works of eight renowned, extraordinary artists, to include the following: Charlie Mcalister, Cynthia Knapp, Edward Rice, Kevin Earl Taylor, Sarah Haynes, Tarleton Blackwell, Tom Nakashima, and William Dunlap.

The Opening Reception is Thursday, August 14, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., and includes cocktails and live music. For details, visit www.RebekahJacobGallery.com