‘Super Heroes"

DENISON — Two art galleries played host to the first-ever international jurored art exhibition in downtown Denison this month. The exhibit was called Super Heroes.

The open call for artists’ interpretations was made by On Main Off Center and 416 West Press & Gallery. The response was large and covered the black, white, and gray areas in medium choice and subject matter.

Of the 87 entries, only 40 were accepted in the galleries. One piece came from Italy and another from Australia.

Scott Goddard, On Main Off Center gallery owner, said the idea to provoke specific art stemmed from a recent trip to South America.

He said, “I visited a museum in Mexico called Museo de Don Cervantes. It is entirely made up of paintings and sculptures of Don Quixote. It was just a fabulous accumulation, and it was fascinating to see so many interpretations of the same person.”

Goddard said he and gallery curator Kay Merritt discussed the western equivalent of Quixote and arrived at Superman for the focus of the show.

“We were going to have just Superman,” Goddard said, “but as we talked more we decided to broaden the concept to super heroes and not just Superman. That way it opens the doors for a lot of more diverse art.”

If diversity is what Goddard and Merritt wanted, then they definitely got what they asked for. Heroes took the form of a simple word, a New York fire truck, and a grandmother on the walls of On Main Off Center.

A clay figure, named Power vs. Force by artist Jack Ousey from Tishomingo, Okla., greeted visitors to the gallery. It depicted a wolf head atop two books. One binding read “Power” and the other “Force.” Education and imagination appeared to be a driving force for this artist.

Brilliant colors in “Mother Dove,” by Kathleen Dello Stritto of Hurst, depicted children playing outside a cracked door. It was oil on linen. While the painting focused on children, the overseer named in the title was the protector and hero tucked behind the scenes.

Steve Van Gelder of Dallas received a runner-up award for “E.V.” The acrylic on board mixed media pictured a ‘40s style Barbie wearing a knit swimsuit and zebra striped mask. The tattered body echoed black birds flying in the background.

The cultural icon was not alone in the super heroes showcase. A hop, skip, and jump over to 416 West Press & Gallery revealed Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe.

While the art was interesting and provoking there, one piece stole the show for many spectators. It was a large acrylic on panel by Gerard Huber. The Dallas artist used an air-brush to create a realistic painting featuring two mirror images. One of a robust, modern day man and the other a Greek statue. Both physiques satisfied the image of a super hero, but appeared more concerned with themselves than the welfare of others.

Another entry echoed paint-by-numbers and a third used stencil designs to convey her Muslim heritage.

Best of Show went to Kerry Cannon of Warialda, Australia, for “A Wonder, A Natural Wonder.” It was a small bronze statue featuring a hearty woman’s figure. Antlers adorned her head and she was posed with one arm up, shaving her armpit.

Juror to the show, local artist, and 416 West Press & Gallery owner Barbara Elam said Best of Show was a difficult decision for her. She said it came down to Huber and Cannon. But, in the end, Elam said she selected the bronze statue because it was executed very well.

“Obviously he is very good at his work,” said Elam of the statue representation of a myth.

On a personal level, Elam said the figure hit close to home. She said, while pointing to the atypical curvaceous figure, “This aged woman still has her vanity. Notice she’s wearing these high heels. I thought it was wonderful and could sort of identify with it.”

“By staging the jurored exhibition,” said Goddard, “I think we gave incentive to artists to create art they might not have otherwise created.”

Articles: Gallery Opening - Carmelo Pampalloa - Super Heroes