WICKENBURG, AZ.- Desert Caballeros Western Museum opened an epic exhibition by artist, LUDVIC, titled, “Don’t Fence Me In: LUDVIC Paints the West.”
This is the first public showing of this new and exciting body of work. The exhibit continues through January 6, 2013.
Having been featured in a multitude of exhibitions nationally and internationally showcasing his contemporary art, LUDVIC, has ventured into Western American art with indelible force in this one-man show. This exhibition introduces some of LUDVIC’s finest work ever, and stretches the boundaries of Western American art. A catalog is available with essays by Desert Caballeros Western Museum Director, James Burns and renowned art critic, Robert C. Morgan.
A longtime New York City resident, LUDVIC harnesses his unique aesthetic to this new body of work, where he alludes to the myth that is the West. From his studio in the Sonoran Desert, he sees space in new ways and visualizes his art differently. Whereas space in New York City is more vertical and full of precise geometric shapes, space in the West seems “boundaryless,” according to the artist. In the West, space is “a point of reference connected with the horizons, the farthest edge of the possible. This is where the vanishing point becomes real,” explains the artist.
The exhibit, comprised of 30 works of art, includes oil paintings, works on paper, and pen and ink sketches. The paintings have a cinematic feel, as the artist defines the precise moment of action in a roping scene, for example, and creates depth and dimension through the use of multiple layers of color. The sense of kinetic energy and tension builds as he imbues his subjects with honor and integrity.
In a statement from Museum Director, James Burns, “Ludvic’s paintings in Don’t Fence Me In can best be categorized as Expressionist with a twist. These works are not as radically distorted as some Expressionist paintings, just enough to produce an emotional effect in the viewer, evoking feelings of freedom and energy. Rather than painting precise details, Ludvic portrays his West in a more ephemeral way. In doing so, Ludvic seeks to depict not an impersonal West filled with stoic figures, but rather a subjective West that arouses emotional responses in viewers.”
Dr. Burns continues, “Ludvic’s Western paintings are neither portraits nor landscapes. They inhabit the space in between. What’s not depicted on the canvas is as important as what does appear. Focused on people, these works are not solely about humans; they reveal just as much about the environment and the interaction between the two. Ultimately, Ludvic’s work is about humanity; he helps viewers to see the good in humankind. Ludvic’s paintings transcend stereotypes about the West and its denizens. They open up a space for dialogue about the peoples and places of the West. Instead of emphasizing the conflict between American Indians and newcomers to the West, Ludvic’s work leaves room for more nuanced stories. In doing so, his art enriches our lives through discourse.”
In titling the exhibit, “Don’t Fence Me In,” it reminds the viewer of the 1935 Cole Porter “song of the west” performed by legends such as Roy Rogers, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown. For the artist, the lyrics represent a creative statement. “As an artist who has created works in several genres - still life, portraits, abstractions in both painting and sculpture, I have always rejected the notion or need to have a “signature style.” That is just not how my creativity works... I feel liberated by my creativity and seek to continuously challenge myself, working beyond the realm of the possible to embrace the new,” explains Ludvic.
Dr. Burns, of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum concludes, “Don’t Fence Me In represents Ludvic’s bond with the West, intellectually, emotionally, and physically. He shares this bond with viewers and offers opportunities to further expand the definition of Western American art. In doing so, Ludvic is a pioneer of art of the Next West.”
