The Artistic Evolution of Vance Kirkland
Born in Convoy, United States, Vance Kirkland was a painter and educator who spent much of his life in Denver, Colorado. His prolific career, spanning from 1926 to 1981, was defined by a constant drive to avoid repetition, leading him to develop five distinct painting periods. His early work in Designed Realism utilized watercolor and oil to create still lifes, portraits, and landscapes. This transitioned into a Surrealism period where he used watercolor, gouache, casein, egg tempera, and oil to invent worlds of deadwood morphing into whimsical creatures and biomorphic forms. He later explored Hard Edge Abstraction and Abstract Expressionism, the latter of which involved a unique technique of mixing oil paint and water to create complex surfaces.
In his final period, Kirkland developed the Dot Paintings, a highly unique method where he used wooden dowels to place dots of oil paint in various sizes and colors. These dots often protruded from the surface, creating a relief-like texture. His work was characterized by a deep interest in color, often derived through his synesthetic ability to sense color in music, particularly the works of modern composers like Mahler and Schoenberg.
Legacy and Education
Beyond his studio practice, Kirkland was a significant figure in art education. He served as the Founding Director and Professor of Art at the University of Denver School of Art and ran the Kirkland School of Art. His influence as an educator was profound, having initiated art programs through various institutions in Denver. His extensive exhibition history included shows in many American cities and foreign countries, with works held in permanent collections such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. Following his death in Denver, the Vance Kirkland Foundation was established, eventually leading to the opening of the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art.
