The Richard Wilt Legacy: (1915 - 1981)
A Museum Gifting Exhibition
January 21 - February 25, 2012
at River Gallery Fine Art
Richard worked at his craft with great tenacity, striving to always put forth his best effort. He could move from specific to spontaneous, always delighting in a new method to attain his results. He admired many of the contemporary movements and artists of his time. In his early work these influences were purposely and playfully interpreted. He was trying to feel what the creator was after. These works have humor, joy, and the unique Wilt stamp.
New media also influenced Richard. He was excited when acrylic paint became available in the 1950’s. Using his experience with watercolor, he transferred his techniques to acrylic on canvas like the ones that can be seen in the eight paintings making up the Antigua Mural(1962-3).
Line was always important in his work. He drew a clear pure line with ease. His attention to line is evident in his early drawings and illustrations and continues to be evident in his paintings. Sometimes left exposed, slightly altered or completely incorporated, these exquisite lines became his signature characteristic.
Richard took leave from teaching at University of Michigan in 1952-3 to obtain his Master Degree in Art History at the University of Pittsburgh. There he found that he had a great affinity for the artist Albrecht Durer (1471-1528). As a draftsman, Richard savored their common love of line.
When Richard took on a particular site assignment- like the shores of Maine or a tropical island in the Caribbean - he was directed, and obsessed. His singled minded dedication enabled him to capture the environs and led him to new methods of creating images. For example, in Antigua # 105, Beach Plant, 1960 he made impressions of found objects by placing them on wet pigmented paper and allowing them to dry in the sun.
Richard Wilt died at age 65 in 1981, leaving an extensive collection of work. His work is sensitive, varied, innovative, thought provoking, humorous and beautiful. His art resonates with people. His family looks forward to sharing this collection with the community at the Chelsea River Gallery show and is happy to know his work will reside in museums where they can be enjoyed by many people for many years.
