The exhibit, Instruments of Cubism, was begun in 2014. The works included at the Staunton Augusta Art Center (https://saartcenter.org/), Staunton, Virginia (June 30-August 5, 2017) are inspired by the Cubist paintings and drawings of musical instruments done by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Juan Gris (1887-1927) and Georges Braques (1882-1963)—works completed during the period immediately preceding the First World War.
These paintings and drawings are of extraordinary importance in the history of Modern Art. Approximately seventy-five paintings and dozens of drawings were the primary artistic building blocks for the movement we now know as Cubism.
Picasso, Braque and Gris painted the majority of their Cubist works from still lifes. I have deconstructed many of these paint-ings and drawings and recreated them as assemblages and sculptures. In this sense, the works included in this exhibit repre-sent a deconstruction and re-imagination of the original Cubist still lifes. Most of the works are assemblage and several are free-standing sculptures. One mobile is included in the exhibit. Other collages have been created as part of this project, but are not in the exhibit.
The smallest work included in the exhibit measures 12” x 16”. Several are as large 48” by 48”. I believe the results are extremely interesting. They combine both a certain gravitas and playfulness. Materials used for the project come from many sources. Damaged mid-19th century porcelain dolls from Germany, used in one of the Bach pieces, were purchased along with many other items, through the Internet. Three inoperable 19th century pump organs, two pianos, numerous dresser drawers, several tables and various discarded or very poor quality musical instruments, including violins, two zithers, gui-tars, mandolins, an accordion, clarinets, and even a harmonica were essential to creating these works.
Thrift shops, garage sales, junk on the curb and an occasional gift from a friend (prefaced by “You might be able to use these.”), were critical to my work.
(sits on table against wall) Assemblage
The Round Table
Bottle, Guitar and Pipe
Assemblage
42” x 43” x 10”
Assemblage
22” x 52” x 6”
Girl with Mandolin
Piano and Mandola
Piano and Mandola
Assemblage
44” x 41” x 7”
J. S. Bach
Violin and Palette
Assemblage
26” x 42” x 12”
Assemblage
26” x 42” x 12”
Musical Instruments
Guitar, Glass and Bottle
Assemblage
39” x 31 1/2” x 6”
Assemblage
27” x 46” x 6”
Violin and Harp
Bottle of Bass and Guitar
Assemblage
48” x 36” x 3”
Assemblage/Sculpture
30” x 58” x 15”
Harlequin with Guitar
(table included)
Assemblage
30” x 72
Guitar Constellation
Harlequin
(sits on own chair)
Assemblage/Sculpture
20” x 50 1/2” x 16”
(table base included)
Assemblage
30” x 68”
Constellation
Mobile (two pieces)
24” x 26”
Solar Constellation
Three Musicians
Assemblage
26” x 23 1/2” 1 5/8”
Guitar Abstraction
Assemblage
20 1/2” x 27” x 3”
Violin Constellation
Assemblage
20 1/2” x 27” x 3”
Assemblage
29” x 24” x 6”
Tea Cups
The Violin
Assemblage
38” x 21” x 4”
Harmonica and Flageolet
Assemblage
29 1/2” x 21 1/2” x 3 1/2”
Assemblage
27” x 29 1/2” x 5”
Clarinet and Violin
Sketch of Guitar
Assemblage
20” x 37 1/2” x 16”
Assemblage
22 1/2” x 41 1/2” x 5”
Mandora
Picasso
Guitar, Gas Jet and Bottle
Assemblage
16 3/4” x 32 1/2” x 6”
Assemblage
16” x 31” x 5 1/2”
Violin and Pipe
Violin and Guitar
Assemblage
18 1/2” x 27” x 6”
Fete
Assemblage
15” x 18 1/2” x 2 3/4”
Assemblage
13 ½” x 25 1/2” x 3”
Aria de Bach
The Violin
Assemblage
12” x 16 1/2” x 2 1/2”
Assemblage/Sculpture
24” x 44” x 12”
Sketch of Cardboard Guitar
Guitar
Assemblage/Sculpture
13 1/2” x 37” x 8”
