“Christina’s World” by Andrew Wyeth (courtesy photo)
Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009) was in the middle of an artsy sandwich—the fixings between two pieces of bread. His father, N.C. Wyeth, was a well-known Brandywine School style illustrator who taught his art to his son. Andrew Wyeth later passed his skills onto his own son, Jamie Wyeth (who paints in the same general areas as his father and grandfather). If you are dying to witness this generational progression of talent, then you are in luck! Andrew Wyeth’s work will be brought to us for the first time on the West Coast (yes – first time!) beginning May 2! Sullivan Goss will present 20 of Wyeth’s works, along with one by his father and one by his son. The exhibit will remain until June 30.
Andrew Wyeth’s work was hugely controversial in the 20th century. As other artists embraced abstraction, he thrived in detailed representationalism. His works spoke to the human heart like poetry—and like poetry, some people loved it and others hated it.
Because Wyeth mostly worked in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania and South Cushing, Maine, his work focuses in on nature’s rugged and rural surfaces. His art creates a yearning within the viewer that can only spring from aesthetic experiences. Some of Wyeth’s more famous pieces include “Christina’s World” and the famous 240 “Helga” paintings.
Don’t miss your chance to witness this artsy sandwich! Join in the conversation and understand the controversy over Wyeth’s work by visiting Sullivan Goss sometime between May 2–June 30.
~Elise Kimball