Considering Art

The “reigning portraitist of the Information Age,” Chuck Close, is coming to Tacoma, Washington. He will be in conversation with poet Bob Holman, Sunday, May 11, 2:00 p.m. at Tacoma’s Pantages Theater. Tickets will probably sell out fast. For information, contact the Tacoma Art Museum.

Close’s work is highly sought after by collectors and museums, and is somewhat of a recluse, due to a near fatal blood clot in 1988 that left him a quadriplegic. His massive portraits of family and friends are eight to nine feet tall, and are literally larger than life.

Much has been written about Close. He has dealt with tragedy most of his life, and has turned almost insurmountable life-changing events into challenging success through hard work and an absolute passion for art. Now, as a quadriplegic, Close straps paint brushes to his hands and head, and manages to reinvent himself over and over. Born in Monroe, Washington, Chuck Close has a BA in art from the University of Washington, Seattle, and a MFA from Yale. Considered at the height of his career when he had the blood clot, Chuck Close has chosen to use his passion to be a role model for those who are down and out, and a most sought after artist.

The Portland Art Museum recently had an exhibit of his prints and his printing plates, but was unable to get the man in person. Kudos to Tacoma!