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David Adickes at St. Luke's
United Methodist Church
Many people are familiar with the name of artist David Adickes,
who is known primarily for his monumental sculptures. But did you know
that he originally made his reputation as a painter? |
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| Adickes' career as a painter, and more recently as a
sculptor, spans many years. He is an artist who didn't study art--at
least at first. According to the SHSU website, after attending
Huntsville High School, Adickes received a Bachelor of Science degree in
math and physics from Sam Houston State University in 1948. Only then
did he turn to art, spending a summer at the Kansas City Art Institute
and two years in Paris at the Atelier Fernand Leger. |
He then returned to Houston and began a painting career
that led to dozens of one-man shows in the U.S. and France. Several
museums and many corporate and private collections are privileged to own
an Adickes painting, St. Luke’s among them, thanks to a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Knox Tyson.
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At the west end of the hallway from the Commons, towards
the Hines Baker Room is our Adickes painting, St. Mark’s Square,
Venice. The oil painting captures the Square in tones of cream,
black and gray. The main focus is on the cathedral, of course, with the
pigeon filled square drawing our eyes towards it. Blurry suggestions of
birds flying lend a sense of movement, but there are no people visible;
it’s almost as if it is an early morning scene.
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Dated 1957, the painting’s neutral tones suggest the effect of a pen and ink
sketch. In fact, the architectural details are actually drawn in ink, loosely
rendered yet quite precise. The placement of the painting at the end of the long
hall is perfect, as the perspective of the piece suggests a continuation of
one’s journey right into the Square itself!
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Next time you're in the
hall along the Hines Baker Room, take a moment to look for this piece. How
blessed we are to be surrounded by so much beautiful art at St. Luke's!
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