Crocker

I recently visited the Crocker Art Museum to take a look at the Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec show (which ended up having very little Lautrec in it) and spent some time in the permanent collections as well. Here are a few highlights:

Daniel Douke, Widescreen, 2009, Oil and Acryilc on canvas

When I walked past this work, I thought someone had simply taken a Mac computer box and stuck it in a glass case. It wasn't until I walked all the way around it I realized it is canvas stretched over a wooden frame and that the image of the computer and all the labels on the canvas had been painted. I give this work points for shock factor alone. The artist, Daniel Douke, has been painting packaging boxes since the 70s. His work is reminiscent of Warhol's soup cans from the Pop Art era. 

Robert Bechtle, French Doors II, 1966, Oil on Canvas

Robert Bectle has painted his reflection into the windows while looking at his wife in the next room. This work makes it seem the painter is actually in the room with the viewer and we are, together, looking at a painting of a woman seated at a table. There is an ominous feeling to this painting, the ghostly images of the painter, the darkened and dramatic lighting of the room beyond the french doors. 

Ralph Goings, Sacramento Airport, 1970, Oil on canvas

Part of the Photorealists, Ralph Goings recieved his MFA from Sacramento State and exhibited with Wayne Thiebaud and Mel Ramos while in Sacramento.

Hung Liu, Shoemakers, 1999, Oil on Canvas

Other than the Lautrec exhibit, I went to the Crocker in search of this painting after studying Hung Liu in my Contemporary Art class. I find her themes of culture, traditional roles and immigration to be very inspiring.

Tip Toland, Wall Flower, 2011, Stoneware, with paint, pastel, and synthetic hair; wood and wall paper. And me.