There is a cowboy art gallery but I didn't know one could take photos when I went through it. I was struck to see an Alexander Calder drawing leading it off.
In the Western America gallery, there are some beautiful sculptures of Native Americans on display.
There is also a model of the famous sculpture by artist Auguste Rodin - The Kiss.
Among other pieces that caught my eye was a painting - The Leek Seller - by the Polish/French artist Alfred Swieykowski. (gesundheit!)
One work in the Latin American collection couldn't be ignored. It is a huge three-panel work with brilliant colors.
It shows a scene, presumably in a church in Mexico, where a man portraying Jesus is about to be hung on a crucifix. The combination of modern-day dress and historically costumed figures is fascinating. I sat and stared at this for quite awhile.
SWMBO was caught studying a piece in the Modern Art gallery. She probably liked the colors but was at a loss to explain the painting's meaning.
She was probably more oblivious of the work on a wall behind her.
It's an immense work composed of lines of paint. Sort of like a prism. It's pretty but . . .?
Speaking of being confused, the next two photos show a work built from charred pieces of wood that came from a church after it was struck by lightning. They are suspended on filament from the ceiling in a cube-shape.
The pieces of charcoal drift slowly creating a shadow pattern on the floor. It is fascinating but confusing. Perhaps created just to make one think.
Also in this area a work by the artist Chuck Close.
It resembles a photograph but is actually a weaving of thousands of strands of thread of only eight colors. Close is an artist of infinite patience as is shown by this work and by other huge portraits he has created with dots of paint.
One of SWMBO's favorites is the Thorne Rooms collection. The Phoenix museum owns some 20 of them.
They are miniature rooms, some duplicating rooms in actual houses, created mainly by an Indiana native, Narcissa Niblack Thorne. She had created miniature pieces during her travels and began creating rooms to house them. In her creations, one inch equals one foot. They are intricate and lovely. I particularly liked this art deco room.
We have seen them many times over the years but we always return.
And one of my favorite areas of the museum is the Asian Collection with a rotating display of works. I love Oriental art. (I have my own collection of inexpensive Buddha statues.) But the works in this collection are truly stunning.
So ends this visit to the Phoenix Art Museum. I hope you've enjoyed the tour. If you are in the area, you should visit in person. It's a treat for sure.
