{not} Quiet on the Western Front includes work by west coast artists from the Belger Collection who helped define the Funk Art movement. Funk came onto the art scene like a car wreck with its anti-formalist aesthetic, tongue-in-cheek commentary, irreverent character, and humor. Invoking a sense of cathartic release to the violent times of the 1960s, it was an alternative to mainstream art that made political commentary on war, gender, racial tension, and other social threats palatable. While its point of origin can be traced to 1950s northern California, the attitudes and approaches of Funk artists spread to other parts of the country and lives on in work by contemporary artists today.

Artists in the exhibition include Robert Arneson, Clayton Bailey, Viola Frey, David Gilhooly, Robert Hudson, Ed Kienholz, Ed Massey, Ron Nagle, H.C. Westermann, and William T. Wiley.

This exhibition is dedicated to William T. Wiley, a founder of the Funk Art movement, and a core artist of the Belger Collection. After a long and successful career, which included teaching at the University of California – Davis, he died on April 25, 2021, at the age of 83. He will be missed.

Belger Crane Yard Gallery presents Reset, Belger Arts annual resident exhibition. Reset celebrates the work of the current Artists in Residence: Elaine Buss, Coleton Lunt, Lilly Powell, Kate Schroeder, Amy Young, and ChengOu Yu.

For the six artists, the past year has been one of reworking schedules, readjusting expectations, redefining “normal,” and reimagining the future, in a world that’s still reemerging. Reset is the culmination of a year in which existence was pulled inward – into the smaller spheres of our homes, our immediate surroundings, and often within our own minds.

Referencing architectural forms, the work of Elaine Buss is driven by intuition and a surrender to natural forces. Her instinctive making process becomes a playful flow between cause and effect. Coleton Lunt’s sculpture cluster explores the notion that ecosystems exist all around us, and how cycles of addition and loss create an ever-changing present state. The work of Lilly Powell directs attention to the often overlooked or discarded objects we routinely touch but take for granted. Kate Schroeder’s light installation draws the eye upward and into an enchanting array of tiny, illustrated worlds. Each ceramic light fixture offers a serene view of domestic life, surrounded by the familiar objects of home. ChengOu Yu’s distorted vessel forms demonstrate how perspective and location can alter an experience and influence understanding. The figurative work of Amy Young delves into the interior of a mind living with PTSD. Through detailed symbolism and intricately carved surfaces, Young gives shape to feelings of pain, struggle, and acceptance.

Belger Crane Yard Studios continues to host national and international artists through its Artists in Residence program. A residency provides ceramic artists the opportunity to expand their body of work or create a special project that may be outside of the scope of their routine studio practice.

For high-resolution images, click here. Artist bios and additional images are available on our website.

Belger Crane Yard Gallery presents Reset, Belger Arts annual resident exhibition. Reset celebrates the work of the current Artists in Residence: Elaine Buss, Coleton Lunt, Lilly Powell, Kate Schroeder, Amy Young, and ChengOu Yu.

For the six artists, the past year has been one of reworking schedules, readjusting expectations, redefining “normal,” and reimagining the future, in a world that’s still reemerging. Reset is the culmination of a year in which existence was pulled inward – into the smaller spheres of our homes, our immediate surroundings, and often within our own minds.

Referencing architectural forms, the work of Elaine Buss is driven by intuition and a surrender to natural forces. Her instinctive making process becomes a playful flow between cause and effect. Coleton Lunt’s sculpture cluster explores the notion that ecosystems exist all around us, and how cycles of addition and loss create an ever-changing present state. The work of Lilly Powell directs attention to the often overlooked or discarded objects we routinely touch but take for granted. Kate Schroeder’s light installation draws the eye upward and into an enchanting array of tiny, illustrated worlds. Each ceramic light fixture offers a serene view of domestic life, surrounded by the familiar objects of home. ChengOu Yu’s distorted vessel forms demonstrate how perspective and location can alter an experience and influence understanding. The figurative work of Amy Young delves into the interior of a mind living with PTSD. Through detailed symbolism and intricately carved surfaces, Young gives shape to feelings of pain, struggle, and acceptance.

Belger Crane Yard Studios continues to host national and international artists through its Artists in Residence program. A residency provides ceramic artists the opportunity to expand their body of work or create a special project that may be outside of the scope of their routine studio practice.

For high-resolution images, click here. Artist bios and additional images are available on our website.

Randy Bacon is a long-standing, acclaimed contemporary American photographer based in Springfield, Missouri. He has an extensive history in portrait and documentary photography, as well as, humanitarian work. At the core of his work is the ability to present emotive, authentic visual stories of the people he photographs.

Just As I Am, presents a series of large-scale black and white studio portraits and personal narratives told directly by the subjects Bacon photographed. Just As I Am invites us to view the world through the clear lends of someone living with Down syndrome; a lens of pure love, honesty and compassion. The exhibit’s aim is to create awareness and a better understanding of Down syndrome through intimate studio portraiture, raw, authentic narratives and short film series, as to change the way we see those with Down syndrome. These individuals are not deficient in any way; but are in fact “extra.” An extra chromosome gives those with Down syndrome an extraordinary ability to see the good, the joy and the beauty in this world that the rest of us often can’t see. This project challenges us to celebrate those with Down syndrome just as they are and to recognize the unbridled joy, genuine compassion and clarity in life they express every day of their lives.

Project in partnership with Down Syndrome Innovations and 7 Billion Ones.

ARTIST INTRODUCTION

ARTIST INFORMATION AND BIO

Randy Bacon is a long-standing, acclaimed contemporary American photographer based in Springfield, Missouri. He has an extensive history in portrait and documentary photography, as well as, humanitarian work. At the core of his work is the ability to present emotive, authentic visual stories of the people he photographs.

Just As I Am, presents a series of large-scale black and white studio portraits and personal narratives told directly by the subjects Bacon photographed. Just As I Am invites us to view the world through the clear lends of someone living with Down syndrome; a lens of pure love, honesty and compassion. The exhibit’s aim is to create awareness and a better understanding of Down syndrome through intimate studio portraiture, raw, authentic narratives and short film series, as to change the way we see those with Down syndrome. These individuals are not deficient in any way; but are in fact “extra.” An extra chromosome gives those with Down syndrome an extraordinary ability to see the good, the joy and the beauty in this world that the rest of us often can’t see. This project challenges us to celebrate those with Down syndrome just as they are and to recognize the unbridled joy, genuine compassion and clarity in life they express every day of their lives.

Project in partnership with Down Syndrome Innovations and 7 Billion Ones.

ARTIST INTRODUCTION

ARTIST INFORMATION AND BIO