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OGUNQUIT MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART OPENS ‘ANSEL ADAMS’ ON AUGUST 27

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OGUNQUIT, MAINE — The Ogunquit Museum of American Art will present the exhibition “Ansel Adams: The Man Who Captured the Earth’s Beauty,” along with two other exhibitions, on view August 27–October 31.

Ansel Adams (1902–1984) was influential in the development of photography as an art form, founding the first department of photography at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City, in 1942.

Recognized for his dramatic black and white photographs of the American wilderness, he was also a teacher, prolific writer and a passionate environmentalist. Using his photographs and his experience, Adams lobbied Congress from the 1930s to the 1980s in numerous efforts to preserve America’s wilderness for future generations.

Adams’ career was officially launched in 1936 when Alfred Stieglitz, dean of American photography, gave him his first exhibition in New York. That success allowed him and his family to move to Yosemite Valley, a location that he adored and had so often photographed since the early 1920s. As a young mountaineer Adams discovered the natural beauty of the Western landscape.

The 25 black and white photographs that comprise this exhibition include many of his most famous images of the Yosemite, Sierra Nevada Sequoia, Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Park.

“Ansel Adams” is part of a 14-city national tour organized by the Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, N.C.

Also on view is “Paintings by Lincoln Perry.” Perry (b 1949) has been described as “a figurative painter of narratives.” His paintings have been compared to Poussin, de Chirico and Balthus. In addition to his work as an easel painter, Perry is also a muralist and sculptor. This exhibition will consist of a selection of oils and watercolors created by the artist during the past three decades.

Many of Perry’s compositions consist of multiple panels that are affixed to create a single square or rectangular painting. These series of panels are a perfect form for this narrative painter whose images are fashioned to be viewed from multiple viewpoints and perspectives. Unfolding in a filmlike sequence, Perry’s often allegorical images and storylines purposefully cultivate an ambiguity that engages the viewer both visually and intellectually.

Rather than answers and solutions, Perry’s work is best known for the questions it asks and the possibilities it presents. A draftsman known for his figures and masterful compositions, Perry is also a fine colorist.

An exhibition of watercolors from the museum’s permanent collection will also be on view simultaneously.

The museum’s permanent collection comprises more than 1,600 works of art, among them are a variety of watercolor paintings. This exhibition will comprise a selection of these fine watercolors. Artists represented will be Edward Betts, Charles Burchfield, Charles Demuth, DeWitt Hardy, Peter Hurd, Bernard Karfiol, John Wesley Little, Reginald Marsh, Walt Kuhn, John Marin, Robert Eric Moore, Eliot O’Hara, William Preston, David von Schlegell, Charles Woodbury, William Zorach and Marguerite Zorach.

The museum is at 543 Shore Road. For information, www.ogunquitmuseum.org or 207-646-4909.