The Indiana State Museum will host a major retrospective exhibition of 60+ paintings, drawings and mixed media wall constructions by Hoosier artist James Spencer Russell (1915-2000), from April 4 to October 12.
The exhibition “Style, Elegance and Wit: The Art of James Spencer Russell” is drawn from the Indiana State Museum permanent fine art collection and several private Indiana collectors including Steve Conant, a noted Indiana art collector. Conant will also write the forward for the exhibit catalog.
“James Spencer Russell was virtually unknown in his native state of Indiana, yet earned a national reputation with his work regularly featured in gallery and museum exhibitions in New York City and across the United States for more than 30 years,” said Curator of Fine Art Mark Ruschman. “We present an extensive assortment of both personal artifacts and artwork; chronicling Russell’s entire career. Through this exhibition, we’ll reintroduce the public to this uniquely talented and inventive Hoosier artist.”
The exhibition will feature several works that will excite the imagination, including significant works inspired by Russell’s fascination with James Joyce’s modern literary masterpiece, Finnegan’s Wake.
Programming for this exhibit will include a lecture on James Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake and the historic relationship between the literary world and the visual arts. Dates for programming are still being determined.
The opening reception will take place on, April 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. Reception ticket prices are $25 each and will be available through the museum’s ticket office. RSVP to the museum at (317) 232-1637.
The exhibition is included with museum admission.
For more details on the exhibition, please call Indiana State Museum Fine Arts Curator and exhibit spokesman Mark Ruschman at (317) 232-1633, email him at mruschman@indianamuseum.org or visit the museum website indianamuseum.org.
