In reports of Andrew Wyeth’s death, there’s plenty of critical derision of his work. But Jim Duff, director of the Brandywine River Museum in Wyeth’s hometown, Chadds Ford, Pa., speaks from a heartfelt personal perspective on the man and his art.
Author: Laura Collins Hughes
With Economy In A Ditch, Library Use Climbs Swiftly
“A library card has become a hot property in the Seattle region — area public libraries are experiencing a surge in circulation. While busy libraries in one of the nation’s most literate cities are nothing new, some librarians credit (or blame) the recession for a dramatic upswing in business. … Nationwide, libraries have reported similar or greater increases.”
Andrew Wyeth Dies At 91
“Andrew Wyeth, the most popular American artist of the 20th century, died early today at his home in Chadds Ford. The creator of such iconic paintings as Christina’s World and Wind From the Sea was 91. … The public loved his work, but many critics and scholars considered him an illustrator like his father, N.C. Wyeth, rather than a major artist. His work was often characterized as sentimental, the critical kiss of death.”
Balding In Frayed Clothes, Janitor Has Had A Rough Run
“We’ve been loving our janitor to death. A do-not-molest sign near the popular lifelike sculpture at the Milwaukee Art Museum has helped a lot, but we can’t seem to keep our hands off the guy.” All that pawing — which is down an estimated 90 percent since the sign went up — has done some damage to Duane Hanson’s “Janitor,” slouched against the wall for the past 36 years.
John Mortimer, Rumpole Of The Bailey Creator, Dies At 85
“Rumpole of the Bailey creator John Mortimer, 85, died this morning following a prolonged illness. … The novelist, playwright and former barrister, who was born in London in 1923, was known and loved for the comic lawyer Rumpole, whose dedication to cheap wine and motto ‘never plead guilty’, has been his most enduring creation.”
Report: 95% Of Online Music Downloaded Illegally
“Ninety-five per cent of music available online is downloaded illegally, according to a report by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Despite a record growth in digital music sales last year, and an industry that has ‘transformed its business models’, the report says the majority of music was downloaded for free with no payments made to artists.”
Obama’s Proposed Artists Corps Sows Hope In Arts Circles
“Barack Obama enters office with the first-ever presidential arts platform drafted during the campaign. … Perhaps nothing [in the platform] has attracted as much interest as the proposed Artists Corps, a national service concept that, much like the Peace Corps, would draft legions of young talent into service across the nation’s schools and arts organizations.”
Czechs To Bulgarians: Really Sorry About That Toilet Thing
“The Czech EU presidency has apologised for an art installation it commissioned that lampoons national stereotypes. Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra apologised directly to Bulgaria, which has formally complained over its depiction as a toilet in the art work. He said the image, at the European Council building in Brussels, would be removed if Sofia insisted.”
Old Vic Opening Delayed; Is Richard Dreyfuss Off Book Yet?
“The premiere of a West End play directed by Kevin Spacey has been delayed for nine days. Complicit at the Old Vic, starring US actor Richard Dreyfuss, will now open its run on 28 January. A spokesman said ‘more development time’ was needed, but declined to comment on reports that Dreyfuss has been prompted during preview runs.”
Pivotal Huntington Library Director James Thorpe Dies At 93
“James Thorpe, former director of the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens who helped raise the public profile of the institution, turning it into one of Southern California’s leading educational and cultural centers, has died.”