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EUGENE VON
BRUENCHENHEIN
1910 – 1983
No 796 The Filament of Ages
April 12 – 1959
Oil on Masonite panel
24 x 24 inches
OUR NIGHT OF LIFE
Paintings, Sculpture, Photography,
Poetry, Philosophy
Exhibition Dates: November 16 – December 29, 2007
Opening
Reception: Friday, November 16, 2007
Our
Night of Life
In dreams we float
To other
worlds
And other
shores,
To salvage what we may,
To build and beautify
Our night of
life.
Eugene Von Bruenchehein,
“Freelance Artist, Poet and Sculptor, Inovator [sic], Arrow maker and
Plant man, Bone artifacts constructor, Photographer and Architect,
Philosopher”, never really found contentment in the real world, except
in his love for his wife Marie. His was the world of dreams, ideas, of
escaping, traveling to far off undiscovered worlds beyond Earth.
I
journeyed to the edge of Universe
Where
stars collide and end in dust
The
junk yard of the Universe
Where
inky darkness lasts from
millenium to millenium
Far –
Far – into the unwanted portion of time. . .
Born in the year that
Halley’s comet passed by our planet, Von Bruenchenhein spent much of his
life exploring the unseen and unexplained relationships inherent in
living things – human, cosmic, and everything in between. He sought and
provided answers to the largest of questions. “Why is there no wall
beyond the fringe of Universe? Because something always lies beyond a
wall, And because no Universe can be contained.” Our Night of Life
celebrates this extraordinary vision, through which nature is infinitely
fluid, continually revealing new aspects of itself.
It is now twenty-four
years since Eugene Von Bruenchenhein’s works came into public light, and
since that time our examination of his work still has not had the time
to fully comprehend the many facets of his artistic vision, within the
many mediums in which he worked. The works themselves are journeys into
their meanings, but the artist’s writings – less well know than the
paintings, sculptures, and photos – add yet another dimension to his
world. Von Bruenchenhein formulated elaborate “Bruenchenesian”
theories, postulating on the complexity of nature and our ability to
know it. In one selection he suggests that only one of nature’s planes
is visible through a scientific lens:
We consider ourselves so smart and yet after the
great length of time man has lived on Earth he
has just
scratched the surface of knowledge. . . As far
as science goes
we have only looked in the mirror, not [at] what
is concealed
behind. . .
Von Bruenchenhein spent
hours looking at drops of water through a microscope, and was equally
concerned with a macrocosmic order, evident in musings and paintings
about the worlds beyond ours. He made exceptionally convincing
paintings of “Lines of Force Contained” and “Lines of Force Released”,
pictorializing what science could only express in numeric formulae.
Now, one only needs to pick up a New York Times daily newspaper in which
a recent photograph by the Hubbell Telescope is featured revealing some
amazing new cosmic cataclysm or phenomena to convince us that, indeed,
Eugene Von Bruenchenhein had already traveled there.
In that vein of awe and
respect, the Carl Hammer Gallery re-visits the art work by this amazing
personality in hopes that we may thus honor him and his unique vision.
Confronted once again with his limitless ability to interpret organic
potentiality – in paintings and photographs, and sculptures of clay,
bone, and concrete, Von Bruenchenhein’s works remind us that the mirror
has another dimension. And thanks to his remarkably expansive mind, we
too can marvel as we travel with him in journeys to the edge of the
universe.
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The Filiment
[sic]
of Ages
April 12, 1959, No. 796
Signed
Oil on masonite panel
24 x 24 inches
GS 309 CH
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Jan 1, No. 535
Signed by artist
Oil on masonite panel
24 x 24 inches
GS 218
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March 12, 1955, No. 184
Oil on masonite panel
17 x 15 inches
GS 90
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To Everlasting Love, Hope, Faith
Wand of the Genii
Aug 17, 1955, No. 308
Signed
Oil on masonite panel
17 x 15 inches
GS 136
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Oct 20, 1955
Signed
Oil on masonite panel
24 x 28
GS 148
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Space Age
Oct 10, 1959, No. 844
Oil on masonite panel
24 x 24 inches
EVB/ET BB-P-129
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Sec Transit Gloria Mundi
June 14- 1955, No. 264
Signed
Oil on panel
17 x 15 inches
GS 117
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Kings Row
June 26, 1955, No. 271
Signed
Oil on panel
15 x 17 inches
GS 121
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March 7- 1960, No. 862
Signed
Oil on masonite panel
24 x 21 inches
GS 117
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Sept 30, 1959, No. 842
Signed
Oil on masonite panel
24 x 24 inches
GS 325
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May 9, No. 871
Signed
Oil on masonite panel
24 x 24 inches
GS 339 |
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Predomilee
July 5, 1955
Signed
Oil on panel
17 x 15 inches
GS 122
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Predomilee
July 5, 1955
Signed
Oil on panel
17 x 15 inches
GS 122
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Untitled Triptych of Marie
Positive and Negative silver gelatin prints (3)
3.5 x 3 inches each
GSVB 7637
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Untitled Portrait of Marie
B/W silver gelatin print
9 x 7 inches
GSPH 1255
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Untitled Montage Photo of Marie
B/W silver gelatin print
3.5 x 2.5 inches
GSPH 2856
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Untitled Montage Photo of Marie
B/W silver gelatin print
3.5 x 2.5 inches
GSPH 5725
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Untitled Montage Photo of Marie
B/W silver gelatin print
3.5 x 2.5 inches
GSPH 5725
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Series of limited ed. Iris prints made from original Kodacolor slide
10 x 7 inches each (6)
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Ceramic Crown
Painted green and red
VBCR F 28
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Ceramic Crown
Painted gold
VBCR F 44
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Ceramic Crown
Painted green and red
VBCR 29
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Leaf vase form w heart motifs
Ceramic and paint
VBC MS 207
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Assortment of bone and ceramic pieces
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Pair of Chicken bone throne chairs
Chicken bones, paint and glue
VBBF 101 and 87
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Installation of ceramic sculpture and chicken bone thrones
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Concrete Mask Construction
Concrete and paint
37 x 20 x 6 inches
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Concrete Mask Construction
Concrete and paint
30 x 20 x 6 inches
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EUGENE
VON BRUENCHENHEIN
(1910-1983)
Born in Marinette,
Wisconsin
Worked
Milwaukee
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2007
Carl Hammer Gallery
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2001
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Living in the Backyard of Space, Carl Hammer
Gallery, Chicago, IL
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1998-99
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Self-Taught Artists of
the 20th Century, sponsored by Museum of
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American Folk Art, NY. Traveled to: Philadelphia
Museum of Art: March 10-May 17, 1998; High Museum of Art: July
14-September 20, 1998; Amon Carter Museum and The Modern Art Museum of
Fort Worth: October 31, 1998-January 24, 1999; Memorial Art Gallery of the
University of Rochester: February 20-April 18, 1999; Wexner Center for the
Arts, The Ohio State University: May 15-August 15, 1999; Museum of
American Folk Art: September 19- December 11, 1999
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1996
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Looking Beyond the Mirror, Carl Hammer
Gallery, Chicago, IL
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Eugene Von Bruenchenhein: Paintings, Ricco/Maresca
Gallery, New York, NY
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Lyons Biennale, Lyons, France
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1995
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A
World of Their Own, Newark Museum, Newark, NJ
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Obsession: Photographs by Eugene VonBruenchenhein,
Michael Lord Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
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1994
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Experience the Fantasy, Carl Hammer Gallery,
Chicago, IL
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Marie, Ricco/Maresca Gallery, New York, NY
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1993
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Eugene VonBruenchenhein, Fotografien, Galerie
Susanne Zander, Cologne, Germany
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Eugene VonBruenchenhein,
Photographs, Edward Thorp Gallery, NY
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1992
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Eugene VonBruenchenhein: Utopic Dreams, Carl
Hammer Gallery, Chicago, IL
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1991
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Dreams, Lies and Exaggerations: Photomontage in
America, University of Maryland at College Park. Traveled to John
Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
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1990
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Eugene VonBruenchenhein, Carl Hammer Gallery,
Chicago, IL
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Eugene VonBruenchenhein:
Paintings and Photographs, Edward Thorp Gallery, New York
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Outsiders: Artists Outside the Mainstream,
Octagon Center for the Arts, Ames, Iowa
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Visions: Expressions Beyond the Mainstream from
Chicago Collections, The Arts Club of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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Chicago International Art Exposition, Chicago, IL
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Chicago New Art Forms Exposition, Chicago, IL
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1989
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Departures: Photography 1924-1989, Hirschl and
Adler Modern, New York, NY
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Paintings of Utopic Vision,
Carl Hammer Gallery, Chicago, IL
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1998
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Eugene VonBruenchenhein, Carl Hammer Gallery,
Chicago, IL
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Eugene VonBruenchenhein:
Obsessive Visionary, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
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Chicago International Art
Exposition, Chicago, IL
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Chicago New Art Forms
Exhibition, Chicago, IL
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1987
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Material Obsessions, Carl Hammer Gallery,
Chicago, IL
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Chairs, Expressways
Children's Museum, Chicago, IL
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Chairs as Art, The
Arts Club of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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Chicago International Arts
Exposition, Chicago, IL
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Chicago New Art Forms
Exposition, Chicago, IL
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1986
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Eugene VonBruenchenhein,
Carl Hammer Gallery, Chicago, IL (solo introduction to exclusive
representation)
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1984
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VonBruenchenhein: A
Retrospective, Landmark Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
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Eugene VonBruenchenhein:
Wisconsin Visionary, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
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1983
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Remains to be Seen, John
Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
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SELECTED COLLECTIONS
High
Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA
Milwaukee
Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
First
National Bank of Chicago, Chicago, IL
John
Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan WI
Mr.
and Mrs. Michael Brillson, Chicago, IL
Mr.
and Mrs. Russel Bowman, Milwaukee, WI
Dan
Cameron, NY
Jay
Chiat, NY
Diego
Cortez, NY
Carroll
Dunham and Laurie Simmons, NY
Eric
Fischl, NY
Mr.
and Mrs. Arthur Goldberg, NY
Robert
Greenberg, NY
Marc
Happel, NY
Jefferson
Holt, Athens, GA
Dean
Jensen, Milwaukee, WI
Timothy
Keny, Columbus, OH
Andrew
Masullo, Jr., NY
Frank
Maresca, NY
Natasha
Nicholson, Madison, WI
Myron
B. Shure, Chicago, IL
Michael
Stipe, Athens, GA
Phillip,
Taafe, NY
Edward
Thorpe, NY
John
Yau, NY
Claire
Zeisler, Chicago, IL
EUGENE VON BRUENCHENHEIN CERAMIC COLLECTIONS
Sheldon
and Jill Bonovitz
Russel
Bowman, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Mitchell
Darch, Chicago, IL.
First
National Bank, Chicago, IL.
Eric
Fischl
Robert
Greenberg, New York, NY
Lewis
Greenblatt, Chicago, IL
Carl
Hammer, Chicago, IL
Kohler
Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
Myron
Shure, Highland Park, IL
Michael
Stipe, Athens, GA
“Eugene
Von Bruenchenhein
Freelance
Artist
Poet
and Sculptor
Inovator
(sic)
Arrow
maker and Plant man
Bone
artifacts constructor
Photographer
and Architect
Philosopher”
*from
an incised plaque by the artist
Chronology
Born
1910, Marinette, Wisconsin
Died
1983, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1930’s
Begins to write poetry and prose. (Continues
writing throughout
lifetime.)
Pursues interest in horticulture. Makes
small number of still life and
Portrait paintings.
1939
Meets Marie K. Kalke. The
two are married in 1943.
1940’s
Produces photographs. Begins
to create ceramic objects, continuing through the 1970’s.
1944
Finds employment in large bakery.
1954
Begins “H-Bomb” painting series. Paintings develop into visionary series (chronologically
dated and numbered), continuing into the 1960’s.
1959
Retires from employment at bakery. Meets Dan Nycz, friend and ardent supporter.
1960
Concrete Mask-Monuments
Ceramic
Crowns
Bone
Chairs
Late
1960’s: stops painting
1970
Bone Towers
Late
1970’s: Resumes painting with “Rejection” or “Repulse Phase.”
Begins
“Complex” painting series of visionary architecture.
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