We had a rare opportunity this week. As part of our membership in the Collector’s Group of the Arkansas Arts Center, we were able to attend a special unveiling and tour of the new exhibition, Coming Home: Carroll Cloar and other Inspirations. This is a unique show, because it is curated by Bobby Tucker. Tucker is a member of the Board of The Arkansas Arts Center and an avid art collector and lover.
At Tabriz this year, his wife, Diane, successfully bid on the coveted “Curator for a Day” item as a surprise for Tucker. Over the last few months, Tucker worked tirelessly and diligently with the Art Center’s Curator of Drawings, Phaedra Siebert, to create a show that reflected his style. For anyone that knows Tucker, this exhibition had to include Carroll Cloar. Cloar grew up in Earle, Arkansas. He attended the Art Students League in New York City and moved to Memphis later in his life. His works have continued to increase in value and are coveted by collectors across the country.
Tucker is a major collector of Cloar’s work. In fact, he has around 30 of Cloar’s painting in his own collection. So for Tucker, starting with Cloar was a natural step in curating a show at the Arts Center. There are six Cloars included in this show. There are four paintings, one drawing, and a lithograph. The lithograph is from 1940, which was near the beginning of Cloar’s artistic career. It’s always so interesting to see where an artist starts from and how they progress with their talent.
Along with the works by Cloar, Tucker has interspersed other artists whose work compliments those of his favorite artist. Among them is a wonderful graphite drawing of a girl by Little Rock artist A.J. Smith. Also included is work by Clementine Hunter, Jan Matulka, and others.
Tucker did an outstanding job bringing together his love for Cloar, art, and the Arkansas Arts Center together in this intimate gathering of some fine artists – most of whom are from the southern region. It is well worth a trip to experience Tucker’s wonderful eye for art and to learn about how others build a collection.
Coming Home: Carroll Cloar and Other Inspirations
Arkansas Arts Center
Now through November 15, 2009
www.arkarts.com
