A new exhibit depicting universal elements of the human experience through one man's poem and another man's paintings is now on display in Gallery 303 of Brigham Young University's Harris Fine Arts Center.
"The Hound of Heaven" pictorial sequence by R. H. Ives Gammell based on the poem by Francis Thompson will be on display through Feb. 17. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free."We are still stunned by how incredible they are," said Marcus Vincent, director of the gallery. "The symbolism in each of them and in the series as a whole is quite amazing."
Elizabeth Ives Hunter, Gammell's goddaughter and curator of the R. H. Ives Gammell Studios Trust, will give a lecture on the pictorial sequence on Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. in 321 ELWC. Groups and those who desire tours of the exhibit are asked to RSVP at 378-2881.
The paintings measure more than six feet tall by two feet wide and are collages that include people, images and symbols - Christian, Hebrew, ancient Egyptian and Greek. The painter intended for each person to find his or her own meaning in the works, and the universality of the experiences and feelings depicted makes this possible.
"The importance extends far beyond studio art," Vincent said. Psychology, English, honors and humanities classes have all arranged for tours of the exhibit.
Gammell based the pictures on his perspective of the emotional breakdown that occurs as one comes to terms with mortality and fears. Gammell himself experienced a nervous breakdown after serving in both world wars and watching his art form go out of style.
"His whole art form was basically depreciated," Vincent said. "The artists' careers just evaporated."
Although nervous breakdowns are not universal, the need to come to terms with one's own mortality, weaknesses and fears are shared by all. "It explores all dimensions of inner being," Vincent said.
Much of Gammell's work is turbulent, showing the unfulfilling nature of surface pleasures and the mixed blessings of the natural world. One painting shows a crumbling world as such imperfections are faced, but the final panel is one of resolution, peace and acceptance.
Gammell was born into a prominent family of bankers and had many cultural and educational advantages as a result. He learned from many of the "Old Masters"' paintings in European galleries.
Thompson, on the other hand, was the son of an underpaid doctor who practiced among the poorest of Lancashire's factory workers. Although he tried, Thompson was not able to become a member of the priesthood or the medical profession.
He lived on London's streets for three years without a permanent job, spending whatever money he earned to support an opium addiction.
The Hound of Heaven paintings collection was first exhibited in 1956, after 20 years of work by Gammell. It is currently on a tour throughout the United States, England and Scotland.