American Art Museum’s Latest ‘New/Now’ Features The Walton Ford

NEW BRITAIN — The New Britain Museum of American Art will present the larger-than-life, politically charged work of Walton Ford in an exhibition that opens at NBMAA on November 30 in the New/Now gallery of contemporary art.

Mr Ford will deliver a talk about his work at 1:30 pm on Sunday, November 30, followed by an opening reception at the museum from 2 to 4 pm. Both events are included with museum admission. The exhibition will be on view through January 17.

Mr Ford’s meticulously rendered, classic images of birds and other animals at first appear similar in style and technique to such traditional naturalists as John James Audubon and Alexander Wilson. On further inspection, they prove to be commentaries on a wide variety of political and ecological concerns, addressing such issues as race relations, religion and politics.

Although Mr Ford was born in 1960 in White Plains, N.Y., his family had for generations lived in the South. His deep southern roots have played a part in his sensitivity to nature’s bounty. From an early age, Mr Ford was aware of Audubon and was attracted to the bright colors and graceful design elements that characterize his bird and animal illustrations. Later, Mr Ford studied Audubon’s biography and scrutinized his influence within the context of his society.

Mr Ford’s work, “Fallen Mias,” is a recent addition to the museum’s permanent collection, acquired following an informal poll of hundreds of museum visitors who were asked their opinions about whether the painting should be purchased.

The painting stirred up something of a debate, including an observation by one visitor, who noted: “I think you should purchase it if only because it is clearly controversial. Anything that causes this many people to think and take a position is good.”

“Fallen Mias” is joined in the New/Now exhibition by eight works on loan from private collections.

Ford is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design.

Also on view at the museum through December 7 is “Copley To Cassatt: Masterworks from the Terra Collection.”

An independent, not-for-profit organization that has been celebrating its centennial anniversary this year, New Britain Museum of American Art is at 56 Lexington Street in New Britain. Regular hours are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from noon to 5 pm, Wednesday from noon to 7 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. The museum is handicapped accessible.

Additional information is available by calling 860-229-0257 or visiting www.nbmaa.org.