University of Kentucky Art Museum
Lexington, KY
606-257-5716
Henry Chodkowski: Mavros Labyrinthos Series
On November 14, 1999 the University
Art Museum will open an important exhibition of paintings and drawings by
Louisville artist Henry Chodkowski. As a result of several extended visits
to Greece, most recently in 1991-92 and 1998-99, Chodkowski has been inspired
by the Minoan labyrinth at Knossos. His richly textured landscapes, acrylic
paintings and graphite 
drawing, often layered with collage, are moody meditations
on elemental forms that invoke the modern and ancient landscapes of Greece.
Jay Kloner, professor of art history at University of Louisville, writing
in the catalogue that accompanies this exhibition, notes that Chodkowski's
observations of Crete are "the basis for visual insights." He
says: "The degree of feeling for landscape as portent is virtually
unique. There is manifest respect for nature's shadow. It is as if old millennial
forebodings surface here. While this could be remindful of apocalyptic thought,
it is all the more appropriate to our time in positing generative chaos."
(right: Mavros Labyrinthos #224, 1992-93, acrylic on Arches paper,
12 3/4 x 19 1/2 inches, Courtesy of the artist)
Chodkowski was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1937 and
studied at University of Hartford (B.F.A. 1961) and Yale University (M.F.A.
1963). As professor of advanced painting at University of Louisville, Chodkowski
is an influential teacher, known as much for the achievement of his students
-- Gaela Erwin, Mark Priest, Guinever Smith, Katherine Fenwick, Mary Newton,
to name a few -- as for his own art. The works on view are courtesy of the
artist and Heike Pickett Gallery, Versailles, Kentucky.
Henry Chodkowski: Mavros Labyrinthos Series opens on Sunday, November 14, 1999 (exhibition continues through
February 27, 2000). The artist will present a slide presentation about his
work at 2:00 p.m. and a reception will follow. An exhibition catalogue will
be available at the museum.
Henry Chodkowski: Mavros Labyrinthos Series has been made possible by the Richard Florsheim Art Fund and the
College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Louisville. The exhibition,
organized by the artist, premiered at the Miami University Art Museum, Oxford,
Ohio, in September and will travel to the Dishman Art Gallery, Lamar University,
Beaumont, Texas, following its showing at the University of Kentucky Art
Museum.
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drawing, often layered with collage, are moody meditations
on elemental forms that invoke the modern and ancient landscapes of Greece.
Jay Kloner, professor of art history at University of Louisville, writing
in the catalogue that accompanies this exhibition, notes that Chodkowski's
observations of Crete are "the basis for visual insights." He
says: "The degree of feeling for landscape as portent is virtually
unique. There is manifest respect for nature's shadow. It is as if old millennial
forebodings surface here. While this could be remindful of apocalyptic thought,
it is all the more appropriate to our time in positing generative chaos."
(right: Mavros Labyrinthos #224, 1992-93, acrylic on Arches paper,
12 3/4 x 19 1/2 inches, Courtesy of the artist)