‘Remembered visions’ mark ‘Garden Chronicles’
NORMAN — The tie to nature is not directly realistic, but based on “mental collages,” in a show by the late George Bogart (1933-2005). Oil paintings in “The Garden Chronicles, Plus” exhibit by Bogart are on view through Nov. 2 at The Depot, 200 S Jones, in Norman.
Bogart was a widely shown Minnesota native who taught art for many years at the University of Oklahoma before retiring in 1997.
He said in 2002 the garden paintings were “not taken from real subjects … but are remembered visions … combined with events … of daily life.”
A solid green background makes brush-mark leaves, winged insects and the sketchy supports for funky fantasy plants stand out in his large “Pollen” oil canvas.
Free use of white space brightens a second large 2002 oil canvas of exotic plants, “Caged” inside tall, drinking glasslike protective barriers.
Works on paper make up much of the show and are equally vivid and impressive, with loosely handled figures interacting well with the color of the paper.
Especially lyrical is “First Blooms,” an oil and oil stick work in which plants and their bulbs appear to float up like hot air balloons, among circles of pure color.
A “March Wind” seems to blow plants and winged creatures across the gray picture plane, serendipitously, in another well done oil and oil stick painting.
In two more fine works on paper, a “pink” background works wonders, enlivening oil stick marks, while objects are less animated, as if chilled by “Early Spring.”
Colors are more condensed, concentrated and intense in such smaller works on canvas and paper as “Spring Planting” and “Dianthus.”
Capturing the expressive power and commitment to craft of Bogart, memorably, the show is highly recommended during its run.
A second reception will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 12 in The Depot gallery of the downtown Norman train station.