This exhibition of works on paper represents many of the themes that Rick Bartow (1946 - 2016) returned to over the scope of his career, from his earliest serious artmaking to the twilight of his prolific final months. Art- historical and literary references, sharp-eyed ravens, wild-looking dogs, coyotes, self-portraits and images of Native people are present. While many of
the drawings in this show- and the preponderance of those he created- are active, color-filled pastel pieces, this exhibition is bracketed chronologically by a 1979 portrait of an aged Monet in densely-applied graphite and an understated 2015 female/bird figure in ink and gouache. The works in between these track the growth of his personal iconography and his exploration and understanding of materials on his road to mastery.
Froelick Gallery remains committed, as ever, to Rick Bartow and his legacy, and we will continue our efforts in concert with the Richard E. Bartow Estate to ensure his works are widely seen and placed in museum, public and private collections.
