2008 Woodie Awards
SLUMA takes a bite out of 'tasty' pop art
Matt Wilhelm
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: The Arts
The Saint Louis University Museum of Art opened a new exhibit-"Discerning Palette: Jerry O. Wilkerson Retrospective"-Friday, March 28, which showcases a selection of works from the pop artist and longtime St. Louis resident.
Like his contemporaries Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, Wilkerson's art made use of objects and themes common to everyday life.
His inspiration came specifically from common American consumables such as food, cigarettes and beer.
"[Wilkerson] believed that the things around us are worthy of art," said the Rev. David Suwalsky, S.J., SLUMA director.
Suwalsky said that Wilkerson is still one of St. Louis' most prominent artists, with his work is featured in museums across the country. Wilkerson, a native Texan, moved to St. Louis and produced art here until his death in 2007.
Wilkerson graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, married a graduate of SLU's School of Nursing and opened one of the city's first art galleries in the Central West End during the 1970s.
SLUMA Marketing Coordinator Mary Marshall recalled the opening of Tom's Bar and Grill (also located in the Central West End) in 1974, where Wilkerson formed a close relationship with the owner. She said Wilkerson brought some of his work to the bar, and later used it as subject matter for his art.
"You can … enjoy it for what is," Suwalksy said about the approachable subject matter in the exhibit, "but if you're adept at understanding, you see into more layers of each piece."
Images of things such as lobsters, hot dogs and Kentucky Fried Chicken boxes were not considered to have a place in the art world until the beginning of the pop art movement, which first caught attention with Warhol's image of Campell's tomato soup can in 1968.
What makes Wilkerson's approach to the topic unique is his style-a pointillism hybrid of 16th century still life and modern printing techniques, no doubt inspired by his father's printing career.
Like his contemporaries Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, Wilkerson's art made use of objects and themes common to everyday life.
His inspiration came specifically from common American consumables such as food, cigarettes and beer.
"[Wilkerson] believed that the things around us are worthy of art," said the Rev. David Suwalsky, S.J., SLUMA director.
Suwalsky said that Wilkerson is still one of St. Louis' most prominent artists, with his work is featured in museums across the country. Wilkerson, a native Texan, moved to St. Louis and produced art here until his death in 2007.
Wilkerson graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, married a graduate of SLU's School of Nursing and opened one of the city's first art galleries in the Central West End during the 1970s.
SLUMA Marketing Coordinator Mary Marshall recalled the opening of Tom's Bar and Grill (also located in the Central West End) in 1974, where Wilkerson formed a close relationship with the owner. She said Wilkerson brought some of his work to the bar, and later used it as subject matter for his art.
"You can … enjoy it for what is," Suwalksy said about the approachable subject matter in the exhibit, "but if you're adept at understanding, you see into more layers of each piece."
Images of things such as lobsters, hot dogs and Kentucky Fried Chicken boxes were not considered to have a place in the art world until the beginning of the pop art movement, which first caught attention with Warhol's image of Campell's tomato soup can in 1968.
What makes Wilkerson's approach to the topic unique is his style-a pointillism hybrid of 16th century still life and modern printing techniques, no doubt inspired by his father's printing career.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
SLU.SMOKERS.SUCK
posted 4/04/08 @ 4:38 PM CST
"Like his contemporaries Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, Wilkerson's art made use of objects and themes common to everyday life.
His inspiration came specifically from common American consumables such as food, cigarettes and beer. (Continued…)
Personally.I.Dislike.Tyranny
posted 4/08/08 @ 2:24 AM CST
Too bad for SLU.SMOKERS.SUCK we can't jump on the hot trend of burning books, or witches, or sending an ethnic minority off to summer camp.
Puritans like you make me sick. (Continued…)
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