Horace Clifford Westermann
Title: Mad House, 1958
Artist: H.C. Westermann
Medium: Pine, Plywood, Glass, Brass, Galvanized Sheet Metal,
Enamel, Tin Toy, Lead Soldier, Paper Decoupage, Mirror and U.S. Penny
Dimensions: 38 1/8 x 17 ½ x 21 inches
Collection of Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, Gift of Joseph and Jory Shapiro
©Estate of H. C. Westermann/Licensed by VAGA, New York
Photograph by Jamie Isberner, © The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
Image Courtesy: Montclair Art Museum
Dreaming of a Speech without Words
Montclair Art Museum
through May 27, 2007
Horace Clifford Westermann became known initially for his sculptures
that were a combination of traditional carpentry techniques along with popular culture. Quite the mix.
His artistic talent developed at an early age. The Walt Disney studio offered
him a job after they reviewed his designs of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Learning
he was a teenager Disney withdrew their employment offer.
Seemingly nonplussed Westermann often designed and built his toys, such as carts, scooters and airplanes. The ingénue decided he wanted his own bedroom and built an addition on his family’s home using scavenged lumber.
Title: Battle of Little Big Horn, 1959
Artist: H. C. Westermann
Medium: Oil on Panel
Dimensions: 15 x 15 inches
Collection of Ann Janss, Los Angeles, CA
©Estate of H. C. Westermann/Licensed by VAGA, New York
Photograph by Brian Forrest © 2005 The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu
Image Courtesy: Montclair Art Museum
In 1942 he joined the US Marines and saw much action on the USS Enterprise. Following the Second World War Westermann
moved to Chicago to study at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago. His artistic career was put on hold when a new conflict broke out; Westermann
rejoined the marines in 1950 fighting in Korea.
The Montclair exhibit focuses on Westermann's works from 1949 to 1962. Certainly his wartime experiences would have an effect on his output along with
elements of current popular culture such as the fun house, penny arcade, pinball machine, science horror
comics and American folk art.
Title: The Storm, c. 1953-54
Artist: H. C. Westermann
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions: 30 x 40 inches
Private collection, Honolulu, HI
©Estate of H. C. Westermann/Licensed by VAGA, New York
Photograph courtesy of Lennon, Weinberg, Inc., New York
Image Courtesy: Montclair Art Museum
Westermann's paintings are not as well known as his sculptures making this a not-to-be missed chance to view these works. Most date from 1949 through 1959. During
this decade the artist applied technical drafting skills along with practical know-how given he had become a carpenter as his
primary means of support.
The exhibition title is found in Hermann Hesse’s Steppenwolf “We
intellectuals, instead of rendering obedience to the Logos, the Word, are all
dreaming of a speech without words that utters the inexpressible and gives form
to the formless.” It refers to Westermann's desire to use his art as expression.
Westermann was one of the celebrities found on the album cover of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
H. C. Westermann
Dreaming of a Speech without Words
Montclair Art Museum:
through May 27, 2007
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