TAM Docents: exhibition info

Hello docents:

 

I have some additional informational materials for you. First, you may have noticed that we now have a piece from the promised Haub Collection of Western Art hanging in front of the Warhol exhibition. I wanted to share the label text with you, since it is helpful info for talking about the gift with visitors and a nice example of the kind of art that will soon be on view at TAM more widely. If you haven’t seen it yet, please check it out next time you are here!

 

Bill Schenck

Born Ohio, 1947       

Snakes in the Grass, 1996

Oil on canvas

Promised Gift of Erivan and Helga Haub

 

Tacoma Art Museum is proud to announce a major donation by Erivan and Helga Haub and family of 280 major works of American Western Art along with a contribution for the new Haub Galleries, a 10,000 square foot addition to present the collection as well as exhibitions of Western art that is set to open in 2014. The collection features outstanding works that capture the spirit of the American West from the late 1700s through the present day. The Haubs have lent this painting as a preview for our members and visitors and in conjunction with our special exhibition Andy Warhol’s Flowers for Tacoma.

 

Bill Schenck’s works both celebrate and poke fun at iconic images of the West. Like pop art icon, Andy Warhol (1928–1987), Schenck uses bold colors and images from pop culture as well as everyday life to create his striking, often humorous western paintings. His title, Snakes in the Grass, refers to the old expression that means hidden dangers or treacherous people but it is unclear if his bucking broncos and airborne cowboys are explosively shying away from real or imagined, physical or intangible threats.

 

Schenck’s work can be found in museums across the west including the Denver Art Museum, the Tucson Museum of Art, and the Albuquerque Fine Arts Museum among many others.

 

I’ve also attached some additional info about photography that you may be able to relate to the Kenna exhibition. Terry Dew was kind enough to share this with us, after receiving it from an art student. Terry was prepping to lead a tour group of medical professionals, so this info is officially medically related, but I think a lot of it is interesting for the general public as well.

 

Finally, I’ve just learned that in January we will be rotating out the Howard Kottler pieces in the entryway cases in order to make room for glass artwork (by various artists) from our permanent collection. No definitive date on that yet, and no checklist yet either—I will let you know when either of those things come along, but wanted to give you a heads-up in case it is helpful in preparing for your January shifts/tours.

 

Thanks as always for all you do,

Courtney

 

Courtney Vowels | TACOMA ART MUSEUM

Public and Docent Programs Manager

 

T: 253.272.4258 x3030

1701 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington 98402

www.TacomaArtMuseum.org

 

“everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it”

Quoted by Confucius. Embraced by Warhol.

 

Memories and Meditations: A Retrospective of Michael Kenna’s Photography
October 6, 2012 – March 24, 2013

 

Andy Warhol’s Flowers for Tacoma
November 3, 2012 – February 10, 2013