On Tuesday, April 3, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens invites you to the free, Community Opening our Richard Chamberlain exhibit: The Year of the Sheep an exhibition featuring the work of Richard Chamberlain, local artist, teacher and Vietnam Veteran. This compelling exhibition is made up of 22 pieces of art that deal with the period of time Richard served in the Vietnam War. The year was 1967, known on the Chinese calendar as the year of the sheep.
For 20 years, Richard pushed all thought of this period from his mind. But, like so many war veterans, he was haunted by his war experiences. As an artist, he turned to his painting as a way to process the range of emotions he still carried with him. Using black and white and shades of gray, the paintings that emerged, unlike his previous more traditional representational work, are mysterious, dark and somehow, unnervingly beautiful abstracted references to the landscape, the battles, and the struggle of the Vietnam War.
Richard Chamberlain’s “The Year of the Sheep” exhibition is being offered by The Cummer as part of collaboration among Jacksonville’s art and cultural organizations known as Cultural Fusion. The focus of this collaboration is to bring attention to our veterans and war. “The Year of the Sheep” will be on view at the Milner Gallery through July 8. Come visit The Cummer for our Community Opening on April 3rd to meet Richard Chamberlain and experience his visual journey through his memories of war. There will also be music and art-making opportunities.
