Rural Images: Exhibitions: Hastings Museum

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Exhibitions

Theatre

Planetarium

Rural Images

Open October 1 - November 20

"I know it's crazy, but I can’t stop worrying about a drought."

The works of three artists will be on display in the East Gallery beginning October 1. These artists are all cartoonists, and their works show a humorous, insightful and poignant look into American agricultural life during the 20th century.

Rural Images focuses on the portrayal of rural American life in the 20th century by three artists whose careers span more than 70 years. This exciting exhibit comes to the Hastings Museum from The American Heritage Center, an archival research institution at the University of Wyoming at Laramie.

Comic strips and cartoons began appearing in American newspapers with increasing frequency late in the 19th century with the growth of Sunday supplements. The medium’s appeal undoubtedly relates directly to the simplicity of the cartoon figure. Rather than representing a distinct individual, the features of cartoon and comic characters represent types. The ideas presented thus often take precedence over detail, inviting the readers to see their own experiences and dreams reflected in the work.

The multi-paneled comic strip, however, is different from the single-paneled cartoon. While the comic strip allows for greater continuity of story line, the cartoon allows the artist to express a more powerful message, such as in editorial cartoons. Thus, while the cartoon may be no less entertaining than the comic strip, the cartoon has greater potential for realism and political statements.

Realism is an important aspect in the works of the three artists represented in this exhibit. Taken together, the careers of J.R. Williams, Ace Reid and Jerry Palen span the years from the early 1920s until today. While the American West, its cowboys and ranches do appear in some of the pieces, none of these artists chose to present himself as a western or cowboy cartoonist. These works strive to portray the realities of American rural life during the times in which they were produced.

In the more than 70 years represented in this exhibit, visitors will see the last days of the longhorned steer, droughts and floods, the advent of the cell phone, the struggles of the family farm, and the rise and fall of the cattle market. Sometimes humorous, sometimes sad, the reflections in these cartoons are told with the accuracy of those who have experienced rural life first hand.

Rural Images will be on display in the East Gallery October 1 - November 20.

Location: Main Level