“There’s a place for us,” Maria and Tony sang to each other in West Side Story. They just weren’t sure what that time and place that would be. The same could be said for much of the work in Dream Worlds: The Art of Imaginative Realism at the Canton Museum of Art.
Of course, there has always been a place in people’s hearts for artwork like this, but not necessarily inside the academic or museum worlds. Imaginative hyper-realistic work like this has been denigrated as “too commercial” or “too fantasy,” not regarded as the talented and in many cases intriguing work that it is.
The exhibit features over 65 works by more than 20 artists. The show offers a visual journey that can be fun, weird and even disturbing to look at. Still, there is a talent of skill and craftsmanship in all of the work on display, it’s hard not to feel the energy of that talent when walking around the museum.
One of the shining talents of this show is John Jude Palencar, who has several works on display. Pagan shows off much of his skills. A nude male with a cow skull for a head dances in a somewhat mystical background that feels like the interior of some type of temple. It is slightly exaggerated; the male has large feet and perhaps larger-than-normal hands.
The entire composition is extremely realistic, even though elements have an exaggerated form. It’s hard not to stare for a while at this piece and all of Palencar’s paintings. They are the definition of transportive.
Craig Maher’s Tread is a “fish-eye” view of a boy treading water in what at first glance looks like a mountain lake, but as you inspect the piece, you see all types of aquatic animals, from jellyfish to blue whales, frogs and hammerhead sharks. It takes you to faraway places the more you look at it. While the ideas expressed are conceptual, the execution is super-realistic.
Kurious Kong by Jeff Miracola also takes you on a bit of a journey. In this work, Donkey Kong sits atop the dinosaur from Toy Story while holding a blow-up doll, while the cartoon character Tom spies on his pal Jerry. The whole scene takes place in a meadow by a waterfall.
I’m not sure what’s happening here, but that’s not really the point; the fun is in being able to recognize the characters and then wonder what type of world this scene might take place in.
Donato Giancola’s Wounded Hawk has the feeling of a high Renaissance work or a biblical story. It features a monk holding onto a woman or angel who is clearly in distress. The angel character is holding a baby, who seems more excited and eager than afraid. This work is just abstract enough to increase the drama. It is also realistic enough to make the creation of a story in your head almost unavoidable.
There are sculptures as well, many of which are done with resin, so that their appearance is realistic in the extreme. From fleshy tones to arm hair, some of these sculptures feel like they might turn and say something to you at any given moment.
This show is truly a lot of fun to wander around. The intimate size of the Canton Museum of Art enhances the experience because you have time to see it all without feeling like you need to rush to the next room.
The incredible detail of the artwork included in Dream Worlds does not disappoint at any turn. This exhibit is a great place to find artwork that tells a visual story and that reaches out to all age groups.
Contact Anderson Turner at haturner3@gmail.com.