Art view by Paulette
Thenhaus
The American dream
For many years Fred
Rathgeber was an art teacher in Galesburg, while for most of his life, he has
been an artist. ItÕs interesting that Fred dates his work by location; street
names and dates lived there ... very novel and informative, too. WhatÕs
interesting to me is that he was born in St. Louis, Missouri, seventy-three
years ago. I too, was born there. He returned to St. Louis in 1992-2001 but has
moved back to town to live and paint. His Bachelor of Arts Degree is from
Washington University; he explains that back then one could Òmix mediasÓ so he
not only explored painting but drawing, and even tried working in clay.
His explorations of various
medias show in his painting and fiber works. In ÒTriptych 1998,Ó a three-
section, meant to be viewed as one, he handles his paint in liquid, dripping
layers. His colors are warm and soft. And the organic shapes looks as if they
are drawn from human anatomy. His half-size wooden screens are full of sunny
yet hazy nature. Water, earth and wind permeate them.
My favorite piece is
ÒAmerican Dream,Ó maybe because I did a version of my own at about the same
time as Fred completed his É but I was in Berkeley, California and he was on ...
Grove Street. His subject matter deals with a weight-lifter and a sun-bathing
beauty. Very funny, Fred! It is a fiber and wood construction É life-size. Fred
did all his own construction and sewing. He even designed a banner for the
Galesburg Civic Art Center and original Art-in-the-Park logo in his own
signature style (not on display). The figures rest on the floor and a
tarp-like, many-sided sun shines behind them.
My version, ÒTrailing the
American Dream,Ó an old model convertible on Rte. 50 in Utah, was a photograph
I took myself while in a passenger seat and translated it into a painting.
DoesnÕt everyone have their
own version of ÒThe American DreamÓ? But only some artists get inspired to
create it.
Frederick RathgeberÕs
Retrospective runs till March 4th at the Galesburg Civic Art Center, 114 E.
Main Street in Galesburg, (309)342-7425 or www.galesburgarts.org
More art
QÕs CafŽ
319 E. Main Street, Galesburg
Jill Swanson and Janina Glass
Impressionistic Paintings and Creative Portraits.
Through February.
Buchanan Center for the Arts
64 Public Square, Monmouth
Owens/ Thenhaus
Assemblages and Spray-Painted Animals
Reception February 24th, 6-8pm; runs thru March 18th.