By
Simon Blattner
The Intimate Diebenkorn, which opened to the public at the Sonoma
Valley Museum of Art on Saturday June 6 and runs through August 23, is an
exhibition that should draw local and Bay Area art junkies to the museum
throughout its entire run. Curated by
the esteemed, local and heavily collected artist Chester Arnold for the
Diebenkorn Foundation, the exhibition contains over 50 works of art on paper
and ranges throughout his entire career including early and late abstractions,
drawings, collages, watercolors, and gouaches.
The exhibit illustrates the exceptional range and evolution of the
artist.
Much of this work was displayed
several years ago at the College of Marin where Arnold has taught for over 20
years. Mr. Arnold told me that while all people associated with the art world
know of Diebenkorn, most have never seen his work. This is a wonderful opportunity to discover a
world famous artist in our own local cultural treasure.
I have been a fan of Diebenkorn for
over thirty years, and I was amazed by the variety of styles, sketches, and
drawings that are presented in this show.
Many of the artist’s most famous pieces are large and distinctive. The smaller pieces here are sketches,
figurative work, and drawings, many of which led to the larger pieces but stand
on their own. By the time you leave the
show you will never fail to recognize the distinctive work of this renowned
artist again. Simple, unique and
approachable, this body of work captures attention and leaves a lasting
impression.
Above all, for the viewer this is
an understandable and easy to walk through exhibition. As always, the museum looks professional,
respects the range of work and the space allows the art to be intellectual and
personable at the same time. It is our
good fortune to have Chester Arnold in our community. He is the consummate artist and curator and
his choices shine in this space.
Chester Arnold reported on
assembling the exhibit, “I was constantly reminded of the urgency and vitality
that drawing can embody, and how the opportunity to look and reflect on what we
see holds rewards that cannot easily be quantified”. He is right on, and this is a great
opportunity for SVMA and its audience to see both Diebenkorn and the curatorial
skills of a local talent. It can’t miss
- lots of small powerful drawings and sketches and pieces we have never
seen. Well done, Chester.
The Diebenkorn Foundation and
Kelly’s Cove Press have published “From the Model” by Richard Diebenkorn which
will make a needed addition to your art library. It is a great buy at $20.00.
There are some excellent lectures
and events connected to the exhibition:
|
Saturday, June
13, 2pm
Tension
Beneath Calm:
Diebenkorn’s Figurative Work
Stephen A. Nash, former Executive
Director, Palm Springs Art Museum
|
Tues. & Thurs., July 14 &
16, 1-3pm
Spotlight Seminar: Richard
Diebenkorn
Two-part, small-group seminar with Ann Wiklund $45 svma
members | $55 general public, includes cost of book, The Art of Richard Diebenkorn
|
|
Saturday,
July 11, 2pm
A
Daughter’s Perspective
Gretchen Diebenkorn Grant
|
Saturday, July 18, 2pm
Closely Considered – Diebenkorn
in Berkeley
Jan Wurm, artist and Exhibitions Director, Richmond Art
Center
|
|
All talks are $10 for svma members; $15 general public
|
|
Simon Blattner was
President of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art from 2006-2008 and 2013 - March of
2015. He remains a member of the museum
board.
