Tuscon Museum of Art exhibit shows its splendor in many forms
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 09.15.2006
The name says it all: Our world-famous Canyon is Grand.
Artists have noticed.
Over the past century, they’ve captured the geologic, chromatic, superstructural splendor of the Grand Canyon in media from paint and photographic film to artsy arrangements of rocks and dirt.
A rich sampling of their work is on display at the Tucson Museum of Art in an exhibition called “The Grand Canyon: From Dream to Icon.”
“It’s about seeing the Canyon in a new way — and reconnecting with it in an old, familiar way,” says Julie Sasse, the museum’s chief curator.
The exhibition showcases 60 works by 55 artists. Among them are famous painters such as Thomas Moran and Ross Stefan and photographers including legendary Ansel Adams and Tucsonan Jack Dykinga. Works by conceptual artists such as Beth Ames Swartz and collaborators Rebecca Davis and Roger Asay add a measure of experimentation and whimsy.
“The whole intent of this exhibition was to show that the Grand Canyon isn’t a static place,” says Sasse. “It’s just as compelling to a conceptual artist as it is to a traditional pictorialist.
“Seeing this work is to find out about the many different ways people connect with the Canyon.”See examples of Grand Canyon photos and art on www.thecanyon.com.
