VCU news

By Amy Moorefield
VCU Anderson Gallery

Virginia Commonwealth University's Anderson Gallery will premiere a special exhibition titled "Selections from A Private Collection of a VCU Alumnus," featuring seminal examples from four master artists who defined modern and contemporary art. The exhibition will view from July 16 through October 14. The Anderson Gallery will have a reception open to the public on Friday, Aug. 6.

"Selections from A Private Collection of a VCU Alumnus" includes a mobile and a lithograph by Alexander Calder (1898-1976), a late black and white painting by Andy Warhol (1928-1987), two Robert Rauschenberg prints and a James Rosenquist print. Culled from a private collection of a VCU Alumnus, this special showcase signifies a first for the Richmond public to see such premiere examples of 20th century artwork exhibited together.

"We're honored that one of our anonymous alumni holds VCU and the Anderson Gallery in such regard as to share these works with us," said Dr. Richard Toscan, dean of VCU's School of the Arts. "The Calder mobile that will be on display has been in private collections for over 40 years. This is an exciting opportunity to share with the public."

Alexander Calder's mobile, "Two Polychrome Flowers with Black Leaves" from 1959 was created during the late years of his artistic production in which some of his most famous public monumental works were produced. Calder, whose illustrious career spanned much of the 20th century, is considered one of the most acclaimed and influential sculptors of our time. He developed a new method of sculpting via bending wire, creating or drawing three-dimensional figures in space. His claim to fame is the invention of the mobile and Gallery officials say they are fortunate to be able to showcase such a prime example.

Andy Warhol's stark black and white painting, "Repent and Sin No More!" from 1985-86 features his interest in scrapbooks of the 1950s with hand painted illustrations and lettering. Created shortly before his death, the work signifies his interest in transforming commercial images and advertising icons into abstract forms that alter the original intent. This piece is an excellent example of Warhol ability to transformed contemporary art via employing mass-production techniques and popular iconography; he erased traditional distinctions between fine art and popular culture. "Repent and Sin No More!" most recently was exhibited by Gagosian Gallery in early 2004 as part of an exhibition of his late paintings.

Other work included in the exhibition will be generously gifted to the Gallery at the culmination of the exhibition by the VCU Alumnus. The prints created by 20th century master artists, Alexander Calder, James Rosenquist and Robert Rauchenberg will be the first examples from each artist to be represented in the collection.

"Although contemporaries, Calder, Rauschenberg, Warhol and Rosenquist's works represented in this powerful exhibition span close to 25 years of creative energy in American Art between the 50's and 90's," said Ted Potter, director of VCU's Anderson Gallery. "The Anderson Gallery is delighted to be able to exhibit these masters of contemporary art, and to welcome the Calder, Rosenquist, and Rauschenberg prints into our permanent collection."

VCUarts and the Anderson Gallery intend to utilize this unique exhibition as an excellent resource for current and future VCUarts students. During July and August, VCUarts will be inviting high school students from North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland to view the exhibit. Potter also says the exhibit will provide the students with a more engaging version of the old-fashioned campus visit and they'll be able to get a real feel of what it's like to be a part of Richmond's vibrant arts community.

The exhibition on view is free of charge and open to the public. The Anderson Gallery is located at 907 1/2 W. Franklin Street. Summer hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 804.828.1522.