Robert LaDuke's Exhibition Catalog - 2019

Robert LaDuke Anamnesis | Solo Exhibition September 27 - October 3, 2019

Robert LaDuke Anamnesis | Solo Exhibition September 27 - October 3, 2019 Artist Reception September 27, 5-7PM Cover: (detail) Under The Stars acrylic 22x22

Meyer Gallery

225 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico www.meyergalleries.com

Robert LaDuke’s narrative paintings are a combination of memories, dreams and everyday life. Some of LaDuke’s most vivid memories are of traveling cross country in the family Cadillac with an Airstream trailing behind. Combined with these memories is a fascination with 1940's era transportation and because of an inheritance of antique steel toys, it comes as no surprise that the same steel toys often appear as subject matter in many of LaDuke’s paintings.

Based on American transportation in the 1930-40’s, LaDuke’s acrylic paintings feature toys which were popular during that era. According to LaDuke, his work “is pretty much transportation oriented, trains, ships, cars, trailers, everything that rolls or floats and they always have that nostalgic 40’s look to them.”

Since childhood, LaDuke can remember drawing old cars, especially those that were once in the Life Magazine ads. He loved the bright colors and compared them to the colors of candy. They always seemed like “happy” colors to him and that is why he has chosen to use bright, fun colors in his own paintings.

One of LaDuke’s major influences is Norman Rockwell. Rockwell was known for his idyllic depictions of American life and although LaDuke is influenced by the pre- and post-World War II era like Rockwell, LaDuke explores a deeper, darker side.

Antique toys are not the only interesting element in LaDuke’s paintings. Each panel seems to tell a story much like a comic book. LaDuke likes to make the viewer think that something is about to happen. Trains are speeding down the track, a car races to get away from the police, everything is in motion. "I enjoy creating narratives with multiple meanings in my work. I imagine that, a certain dark but humorous tone underlies my cartoon-like illustrative surfaces.

Although realism often dominates my work visually, it is in fact merely providing a frame of reference to a metaphoric end."

“Under the Stars,” a 22“ x 22” acrylic painting, depicts an airstream trailer parked in front of a seemingly familiar southwest rock formation, which glows beneath a moonlit sky. Scenes like this may be reminiscent of the artist’s childhood, where summers were spent road tripping and camping in national parks.

While the imagery is based on the artist’s personal experience and may even look familiar to the viewer – it’s a fabricated moment. “I'm creating a past that looks somewhat convincing but in reality never existed,” says LaDuke

Under The Stars acrylic 22x22

Angler acrylic 19x15

Rail Rider acrylic 14.5x46

Blue acrylic 12x12

Camping acrylic 11x24

Deco acrylic 13x13

Drawbridge acrylic 20x20

Robert LaDuke’s latest work is a continuation of his illustrative, narrative painting style with transportation-oriented subjects - from literal depictions of trains, planes and cars, to drive by views of roadside diners and motels. His imagery takes the viewer back in time to the 1930’s and 1940’s with period correct styles, yet presents each scene in full saturated color.

D.U.M.B.O. acrylic 12x12

Race Day acrylic 11x15.5

Monument acrylic 12x12

Memories of family members and childhood experiences are often layered in LaDuke’s paintings as obscure references that remain unknown to the viewer.

The artist isn’t necessarily trying to keep his sentiments a secret; he just wants to give the viewer an opportunity to bring their own meaning or story to the painting.

Last Chance acrylic 16x18

I like it very much when the viewer connects a personal memory or experience with something they see, or perceive to be happening, in a painting.

-Robert LaDuke

Nickel acrylic 12x12

Cowboy acrylic 13x24

Other pieces have stronger symbolism or more specific narratives; “Mulligan” is inspired by a children’s book whose ending disturbed LaDuke as a young boy. “I’ve wanted to paint a steam shovel ever since,” he says.

Mulligan acrylic 15x20

“Garage” depicts a 1930’s Buick pulled halfway behind a small garage. “I remember my grandfather working on his car with it partially backed out of the single car garage,” recalls the artist. “The painting is about him withoutactually depicting him.”

Garage acrylic 12x12

Final Bow acrylic 11x11

Joe’s acrylic 16x18

Waiver acrylic 22x9.5

Frost acrylic 12x12

Thunder acrylic 12x12

Robert LaDuke Under The Stars Angler Rail Rider Blue Camping Deco Drawbridge D.U.M.B.O Race Day Monument Last Chance Nickel Cowboy Mulligan Garage Final Bow Joe’s Waiver Frost Thunder Jo’s Convertible

Price List 22”x22” 19“x15” 14.5“x46” 12“x12” 11“x24” 13“x13” 20“x20” 12“x12” 11”x15.5” 12“x12” 16”x18” 12“x12” 13“x24” 15“x20” 12“x12” 11”x11” 16”x18” 22“x9.5” 12”x12” 12”x12” 13”x12”

$7,200 $4,800 $11,000 $2,500 $4,200 $3,000 $6,400 $2,500 $2,900 $2,500 $4,600 $2,500 $4,900 $4,800 $2,500 $2,000 $4,600 $3,300 $2,500 $2,500 $2,800

Robert LaDuke

Jo’s Convertible acrylic 13x12

Anamnesis | Solo Exhibition September 27 - October 3 Meyer Gallery

225 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico www.meyergalleries.com