VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

William Reaves Fine Art presents Modernism on the High Plains: Featuring the rediscovered work of Robert and Troy Allen Lockard, introducing yet another treasure trove of early Texas modernism, in the exquisite cache of recently rediscovered paintings by Robert and Troy Allen Lockard.

This West Texas husband-wife duo joined up at Texas Tech University in the midst of the Great Depression. Together they served as founding faculty members in Tech’s departments of Architecture/Allied Arts and Applied Arts, respectively. Their artwork immediately introduced a sophisticated, avant-garde style to the flat-lands of Lubbock, placing them among the first – wave of artists to produce and exhibit abstract subject matter in this sector of the state. The stunning works featured in this exhibition were executed by the artists from 1937-1954.

In his accompanying essay in the exhibition web catalogue, Michael Grauer, Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs / Curator of Art at the Panhandle – Plains Historical Museum in Canyon, Texas, lauds the work of Robert and Troy Allen Lockard, placing them in their appropriate historical context within the vivid history of the West Texas art scene at mid-century. Grauer also examines the Lockard’s in the context of the greater American modernist movement, discussing their predecessors, contemporaries, and the influences that propelled their career as artists.

In conjunction with the Lockard exhibition, William Reaves Fine Art also presents a survey of works by mid-century Texas greats from throughout the Lone Star state. This selection, including works by noted Texas artists David Adickes, Jack Boynton, Lamar Briggs, Don Edelman, Frank Freed, Henri Gadbois, Otis Huband, Lucas Johnson, Paul Maxwell, Leila McConnell, Herb Mears, Robert Morris, Kermit Oliver, Bill Reily, Charles Schorre, Richard Stout, McKie Trotter, and others, reflects the vitality and diversity of the mid-century art world in Texas, rife with color and artistic originality that is sure to strike accord with Houstonians and mid-century art aficionados.

Both exhibitions coincide with the gallery’s prominent co-sponsorship of The 2012 Houston Modern Market (February 24-26, 2012, at Winter Street Studios), bringing vendors of vintage, mid-century arts and design to the Bayou City. Be sure to visit WRFA at the Modern Market and make plans to attend our lecture: The Houston Art Scene at Mid-Century: Recollections of Four Houston Artists – Richard Stout, Henri Gadbois, Leila McConnell, and Ava Jean Mears on Saturday, February 25, 3 p.m., at Winter Street Studios. Also make plans to attend the Houston Founders Party, hosted in conjunction with the Modern Market, on Saturday, February 25, 6-8 p.m. at William Reaves Fine Art gallery.

Cheers and we look forward to seeing you in the gallery and at the Modern Market!

Pictured: a work by Robert Lockard (detail above, full image below).