HANCEVILLE, Ala. – The Evelyn Burrow Museum at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, announces a new exhibition on loan from Troy University, “Alabama Art: Inside Out,” which will be on display in the museum’s main gallery through September 31.
“Alabama Art: Inside Out” originated as an artistic endeavor by the internationally acclaimed artist Nall to reveal to the world the work of fellow Alabama artists who embodied the spirit and style of his home state.
Nall saw these artists as important, courageous and ambitious. From art made of found materials, to stories told through photography, and history immortalized in the threads that bind a quilt, Nall’s portrait series and collection reveal both beauty and hardship.
The exhibition contains 14 portraits by Nall of the artists William Christenberry, Chip Cooper, Frank Fleming, Bruce Larsen, Charlie Lucas, Betty Sue Matthews, Bill Nance, Clifton Pearson, Steve Skidmore, Jimmy Lee Sudduth, Mose T., Yvonne Wells, Flemming Tyler Wilson, and Kathryn Tucker Windham.
Works by each of these artists is shown alongside the Nall portraits.
The “Alabama Art” series was largely created while Nall was artist-in-residence at Troy University. In most cases, he collaborated with the featured artists to complete the work. Many of pieces on display are from Nall’s own collection, which he donated to Troy University.
Throughout much of his career, Nall collected art that fed his soul. He often traded his work for that of others. Even while living in France for many years, he maintained a keen interest in local Alabama artists, seeing that they shared much in common.
The book, “Alabama Art,” published in 2000, accompanied the series of portraits Nall created.
Born in Troy, Alabama, in 1948, Nall has created works of art for 50 years. A multi-talented fine artist, he has traveled the world studying diverse cultures and exploring art, architecture and indigenous craft.
His artwork includes finely detailed drawings, remarkable botanical paintings and prints, complex mosaics, graphite portraits encased in elaborate frames, intricate line engravings and masterful watercolors. Exhibitions of Nall’s work have circulated the globe. His artwork has even been chosen for a series of official postage stamps for the Principality of Monaco and to designs of the theatrical set and costumes for the Puccini Opera in Italy.
The exhibition is sponsored at Wallace State in part by Cullman’s Alabama Bicentennial Committee and by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Troy University and our sponsors in showing this exhibition of Alabama artists during the state’s Bicentennial celebration,” said museum representatives.
A Wedgewood exhibition is also on display at the museum along with examples from the Burrow Museum permanent collection.
Except for holidays, the Evelyn Burrow Museum is regularly open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 256-352-8457 or visit http://burrowmuseum.org.
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