Chazen exhibit spotlights the work of Wisconsin painter
The Chazen Museum of Art will present “The Magic of John Wilde,” an exhibition of the Wisconsin native’s magic realist paintings and drawings, beginning in late May.
Wild Strawberry and a Bird Skull, 1990, by John Wilde, will be included in the exhibition, “The Magic of John Wilde,” on view at the Chazen Museum of Art, May 29–July 25. Courtesy Chazen Museum of Art.
The exhibition is taken from the Chazen’s collection of art by Wilde, ranging from the 1940s to the 1990s. “The Magic of John Wilde” will be on view from May 29–July 25.
Wilde’s imaginative dreamscapes reflect artistic traditions from European Renaissance painting to 20th century surrealism.
His artistic vision was also profoundly influenced by his domestic military service during World War II and a deep respect for nature, inspired by rural Wisconsin.
Wilde’s exquisite oil painting technique is evident in still lifes, allegorical landscapes and portraits.
Vivid and colorful, his fanciful Edenic landscapes are populated with animals, people, and recurring objects that symbolize themes of nature, love and death.
Born in Milwaukee, Wilde attended the University of Wisconsin from 1938 to 1942, where he learned the challenging medium of silverpoint from James Watrous and intensely studied the European Masters.
He majored in art, then was drafted in 1942 and served in the U.S. Army until 1946. Following the war, he returned to the university for his master’s in art and art history, with a thesis on the French surrealist Max Ernst.
He then taught at Madison from 1948 to 1982. A dedicated gardener, he lived the last 40 years of his life near Evansville.
There will be an exhibit reception on Friday, June 4 from 5:30–7 p.m.
Support for this exhibit has been provided by the Chazen Museum of Art Council, Hilldale Fund, Brittingham Fund, and Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the state of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.