The OSU Urban Arts Space in the historic Lazarus building in downtown Columbus is currently presenting Alan Crockett: Mark Making from November 6, 2008 through January 24, 2009, co-curated by Prudence Gill and Jan O'Dea. Through paintings and drawings, some dating back to undergraduate work, this exhibit offers viewers the opportunity to really see and understand the meaning of Crockett's life-long artistic practice. An opening reception is scheduled at the OSU Urban Arts Space on Thursday, November 6, 5:00-8:00 p.m. This reception also celebrates the Department of Art Faculty Exhibition.
On view are selections from Crockett's thirty-six years of research into the power of symbol and metaphor, the nuances of investigation and discovery, the subtleties of poetic color, and the possibilities of line, shape, gesture. All contribute to his adventurous journey of learning to speak the language of art and life through the painted canvas. "Crockett's fearlessness as a painter, his continued willingness to challenge himself aesthetically and always push his paintings to the next level, is clearly visible as one walks through the exhibition," comments co-curator Prudence Y. Gill.
As Crockett recently stated, "To have a subject for a painting is more limiting than liberating. I have to get past ideas to have a painting act as an adventure for me. If I remove the subject, then I can find what the painting is all about."
Alan Crockett is the recipient of multiple Ohio Arts Council and Greater Columbus Arts Council Individual Artist Fellowships, a National Endowment for the Arts Visual Arts Fellowship, and a Ford Foundation Grant. He has presented his work in solo and group exhibitions across North America and in Europe. He has been a visiting artist at numerous universities and academic institutions including University of Illinois, Minerva Academy of Art-Holland, and Texas Tech.