Opening Reception, Thursday, July 21, 5-7pm
artists will be in attendance
True West
curated by Annie Decamp and Michael Dowling
True West is a continuing look at the west, it’s location and culture through the eyes of the contemporary artist. Now in its third year the core theme continues, asking each invited artist to consider their perception of the west as a place or an idea, or an experience such as a westward migration or historical connection. Many of the artists were invited because of their direct relationship with the west. Other artists were invited because their work was made without the West directly in mind, but the symbols and ideas put forth encounter the west in some way.
The intent of this show is to give clear indication that the art is the star here, not the curator and really not even the artist. The only parameter we ask of the artists and galleries is to consider our place in the west and its history even if very abstractly in creating or selecting work for the show.
The annual show was conceived by Michael Dowling in 2018, constructed around the well-received Coors Art Pavilion, and the National Western Stock Show art events. Dowling’s impulse was to highlight more Colorado voices not appropriate or considered for the Denver-based Stock Show event.
curators
After meeting in 2018, Michael Dowling and Annie Decamp began painting together regularly and collaborating on curatorial events. They currently share side-by-side studios in Denver, Colorado. In 2021, the pair came together for the “That’s What He Said, She Said” show at the Red Brick Center for the Arts Gallery in Aspen, Colorado to showcase work that explored their dialog around art both literally and figuratively.
True West Contemporary 2022 will show as two events. All artists are asked to participate in Denver event and we will have a more limited representation in the Aspen event. The first event will run mid-January to the end of February, and the second event will take place at the Red Brick Gallery in Aspen in July, 2022 – a busy season for the art scene in the Roaring Fork Valley. Based on the success of Dowling and Decamp’s 2021 show at the Red Brick, they were asked to put forth a platform for a show in 2022 that would bring Denver-based artists together with artists from the Roaring Fork Valley. Consequently, the True West Contemporary show was selected as a key exhibit for the gallery’s 2022 calendar.
selection of works in the exhibition
