"not exactly equestrian art" Angie Reed Garner, Joyce Garner and Will Garner opens May 3, 20234/29/2023
not exactly equestrian art Angie Reed Garner Joyce Garner Will Garner opens May 3, 2023 Equestrian art is a huge genre with some hallmarks: unambivalent enthusiasm. Sincerity. Technical prowess depicting glorious, glowing equines that are good-smelling, if you could smell them. I don't think any of the artists in my family are up for this challenge, but who knows, so check back next year. Meanwhile around Derby I try to show some kind of art with love for horses and their place in our landscapes, our economy, our hearts, dreams, and collective stories. In 2021 I asked my brother Will Garner if he could do a piece for Derby that respected the conventions of equestrian art but also had poop. He did, and we put it in the window.  Will Garner experience the derby mixed media on stonehenge paper 90 x 96" Will Garner loves animals, meaning he relates to them without sentimentality and with fellowship: we are all on this one planet together. So he pays attention to the horse's face, their embodied attitude or mood... and poo. Some details only resonate for certain audiences. Animal lovers as a demographic expressed strong appreciation for the beauty and matter-of-factness of the piece (though I notice no-one has yet collected it for their living room, entry, or the hall leading to the bathrooms. It's still available). Contemporary artists read it as light-hearted commentary at scale—all positives. Some people asked if negativity about Derby was intended, and yes a few folks took offense. It was a whole thing, to watch people out on the sidewalks as they encountered this piece. Usually they found the horse's face first, and their faces lit up. What followed next when they sighted on the poo was a frown or some kind of smile, pulling back or leaning closer. People's responses seemed to be individual, emotional and very very clear. Art can be glory and poop all at the same time in varying proportions. You are invited to feel whatever you feel about what you are shown, and enjoy the space to reflect if you want. Or you can just love horses. I do. Angie Reed Garner artist & gallery director garner narrative contemporary fine art gallery 642 e. market st. louisville, ky 40202 wed-sun 1-6, first fridays 1-9, and by appointment (502) 303-7259 garnernarrative@gmail.com  Angie Reed Garner "ship of fools" 36 x 48" oil  Joyce Garner "How-dy" 72 x 96" oil  Will Garner "think your heart is a dark horse" 72 x 96" mixed media on stonehenge paper |
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