LITTLE ROCK — The people populating the warm-toned vintage photographs hanging at Greg Thompson Fine Art in North Little Rock stare back at us like a nearly forgotten third cousin, the one we met once but never got to know.
We know them, see the resemblance, but mostly we recognize the look. Pride, love and sometimes a bewildered bemusement flow electrically from these images. In the best cases, the current goes both ways.
The images are the work of Heber Springs photographer Mike Disfarmer (1884-1959). Disfarmer, known to those in the know as a talented kook of the first order, posthumously carved out a niche in the world of odd, affecting portraiture.
The photographs in “Disfarmer: Portraits of a Lifetime” are contemporary to Disfarmer, printed by him or his assistant after being taken in his Heber Springs studio. They give us Natural Staters a chance to purchase both art and history in its natural state.
The show includes several of Disfarmer’s better known works. His stark portrait of Minnie Dollar ranks among photography’s most powerful of the 20th century, exhibiting a solid determination tinged with careworn solemnity.
This contrasts well with another of the familiar photographs, a 1944 image which reveals the sturdy jauntiness of the Neighbors family; the husband in uniform, clutching one child, the wife smiling almost wistfully, cradling another.
There are several photos that exhibit his disconcerting but ultimately endearing backgrounds such as a white wall decorated with vertical black stripes that seem a daring design element when viewed dispassionately.
A few of the images are less than arresting, but most demonstrate the curious blend of intimacy and preoccupied detachment common to Disfarmer’s work.
The cliched notion that big is better, while true in many cases, doesn’t apply in the Disfarmer world. He was the king of the photo album; his small prints populated albums in Heber Springs and environs for decades. This show is an opening of those albums, spreading the Disfarmer news, exposing the world to the distant warmth and (supposed) naivete that characterizes his work.
The gallery’s physical setting — white walls, high ceiling and wood floors — is a bit antiseptic, but upon reflection contrasts well with the warm vintage Disfarmer prints.
This earth-tone warmth contrasts equally well with some of the coolly curious faces that peer out at the viewer who’s leaning in to the small prints.
— John Sykes Jr. is chief
photographer of the Arkansas
Democrat-Gazette
Disfarmer: Portraits of a Lifetime, through May 12, Greg Thompson Fine Art, 29 Main St., North Little Rock. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Information: gregthompsonfineart. com or (501) 664-2787.
LINDQUIST AT M2
M2 Gallery’s fifth anniversary show is especially memorable for the fascinating and beautifully executed prints of Evan Lindquist. The retrospective of the printmaker’s work covers 1963-2010. Lindquist taught drawing and printmaking at Arkansas State University for about 40 years.
The work, printed from copperplate engravings, is stimulating and intriguing. It taps classical themes, dreams, nature and contemporary realities, often with humor and insight. Lindquist’s talent has been recognized by the Society of American Graphic Artists, who gave the artist a lifetime achievement award in 2010.
Viewing this outstanding display, it’s easy to understand why.
Prices are $120-$700.
Fifth anniversary show and Evan Lindquist retrospective, through April 21, M2 Gallery, Pleasant Ridge Town Center, 11525 Cantrell Road, Suite 918, Little Rock. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Information: m2lr.com, (501) 225-6257.
— Ellis Widner
OPENINGS
The Art Group, an artists co-op in Maumelle, will present its spring show April 19-22 at its gallery, 10840 Maumelle Blvd., Maumelle. The recently remodeled facility is in the Boulevard Shopping Center. Hours are 6-9 p.m. April 19, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 20-21 and noon-4 p.m. April 22. For information, see theartgroupmaumelle.com or call (501) 680-9484. The Arkansas Arts Center opens two exhibits Friday. “The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft” will be in the Sam Strauss Sr. and Stella Boyle Smith galleries. The show explores the use of new technologies and traditional materials in the creation of art. The exhibit was organized by the Fuller Craft Museum. This show hangs through Aug. 5.
“Mind’s Eye: Still Lifes of G. Daniel Massad” is in the Virginia and Ted Bailey Gallery. Massad’s multilayered pastel works are created on a near-black background. The exhibit hangs through June 10.
The Arts Center is at MacArthur Park, East Ninth and Commerce streets, Little Rock. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Information: arkarts.com or (501) 372-4000.
The new Gallery 221 has opened its first show. Located at Second and Center streets, Little Rock, the gallery is displaying works by Gino Hollander, Elena Feliciano, Thomas Fedro, Framos and Gloria Vanderbilt and several Arkansas artists. The show hangs through May 31. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and by appointment; call (501) 801-0211.
Artifacts Folk & Fine Art, upper level at 37 Spring St., Eureka Springs, has expanded its space and is currently featuring oil paintings by Charles Pearce. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Monday, closed Tuesday. For information, see artifactseureka.com or (479) 363-6660.
Style, Pages 47 on 04/08/2012