The Ashby-Hodge Gallery of American Art on the campus of Central Methodist University will hold a special artist talk by Larry Kantner at 2 p.m. on September 21, as the artist will speak on his work currently shown in the Gallery’s fall show. The event is open to the public and will be held in Classic Hall, Room 101.
Currently featured in the Geist Gallery as part of the exhibit titled “The World According to Tom & Larry,” Kantner is the former art department chair of the University of Missouri. His work has been exhibited internationally and in numerous regional and local exhibits across the United States, including a previous show at the Ashby-Hodge Gallery in 1997.
Kantner’s style has changed quite a bit since the ’97 show. Where his earlier work focused on painting singular figures “expressed in a very painterly style,” his newer art incorporates a variety of media, usually in a small space.
“I now work on a smaller scale and focus on an array of media,” said Kantner in his artist statement. “Although the artwork is smaller, it does not diminish my passion or need for creating.”
The work included in the fall show exhibits Kantner’s passion through his collages, drawings, paintings, and mixed media. It also showcases his interest in the phenomenon of pareidolia, or finding patterns in chaos.
“I am fascinated with the pareidolia effect,” he said. “It is like re-imagining something visually from what initially appears to be one thing and using that stimulus to turn this image into the image seen and, hopefully, link to the viewer’s own experiences and memories, creating personal connections and stories.”
Later this fall, the annual Geist-Yancey Lecture on the Arts will feature speaker Henry Adams, one of the foremost scholars on Thomas Hart Benton. His books, Tom & Jack and Eakins Revealed, can be found in the Howard County Library. The lecture will be held on November 6 at 7 p.m. in the Inman Lecture Hall (Stedman 200). Admission is free to the public.
In addition to attending Kantner’s talk, those interested may visit the Gallery from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. every Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until November 20. Special tours and groups are also welcome by appointment. Contact curator Tyler Pierson at tpierson@centralmethodist.edu or 660-248-6304 to schedule a time.