Gordon Skalleberg Abstract 20-20
2020
oil on plywood
16x16
Frost Gallery - The Inexorable & Enigmatic Western Horizon
Exhibition on Display: January 7 - February 26, 2022 | Works by Gordon Skalleberg
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am intrigued by horizons, both at oceans and in the desert. For a person of average
height, it is only about three miles to the horizon. The horizon becomes something
infinite, and, of course, if you were to chase it you would just be circling the Earth
endlessly.
To me, it seems like the horizon can hide the meaning of our existence on Earth, it could
make us wonder if there is life beyond?
When traveling through the desert in the Southwest I never tire of looking and searching
the distance; observing the sky, the haziness of distant mountains or hills, the ever
changing light. There is never a moment that is identical to the previous moment. You are
really watching time divided in minuscule NOWs. It is like watching moving water or a fire,
you never get tired of it.
So it seems that the horizon is what divides the mortal from the divine. Maybe Leonardo da
Vinci had thoughts like these when he painted the Last Supper...
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Swedish artist Gordon Skalleberg initially concentrated on painting faces and people. He
is an expert at capturing gesture, emotion and fleeting thoughts. When asked about his
subject matter, he stated, “I guess I am trying to see beyond the surface… Subconsciously
we can recognize joy and sadness, maybe even a subtle lie – but are we really aware of what
we are seeing?” Many of the images are of people he does not know, so when a viewer
reflexively formulates his or her own personal narrative about what they are seeing and
tells him the story, he is fascinated.
Born in Fredrikstad, Norway, Skalleberg grew up in Stockholm and moved to Arild, Sweden in
1994. Now a resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States, he transitioned into a full-time
artistic life after many years in the family’s successful business, Skaltek. When young, he
was interested in photography, as well as drawing and sketching, yet a career in fine arts
was not imagined. He joined the family firm after finishing technical high school and
rapidly learned all aspects of the business. In his thirties he became president.
Apart from all the normal duties in top management, Skalleberg taught himself graphic
design and took on the responsibility for all visual promotion. He evolved from manual
graphic design to fluency in digital software. This creative work energized him. It planted
a seed, and the seed began to grow. He was no longer content to be a “deferred artist.”
Reflecting on his future and his pressing desire to cultivate his expanding creativity, he
took a break from the firm and enrolled in a one-week painting course at the prominent
Swedish art school Gerlesborgsskolan. There he experienced a life-changing shift that set
the trajectory for his professional artistic endeavors. Aside from this course, Skalleberg
is self-taught. To educate himself, he immersed himself in many museums, galleries and books
about art history and various artists’ life experiences. He observed and soaked up information
about techniques, styles and materials. He spent hours in the studio. He set goals as an
emerging artist adapting to a major career realignment.
ENRICHING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH ART
The mission of Arts Fort Worth, formerly known as the Fort Worth Community Arts Center,
is to provide a quality event, visual and performing arts venue for all of the community.
This historic and dynamic arts complex boasts seven indoor galleries, an outdoor gallery,
artist and performance studios, and office suites nonprofit arts organization, is managed
by Arts Fort Worth on behalf of the City of Fort Worth.
Arts Fort Worth also provides educational programming, promotes experienced and emerging
artists. Arts Fort Worth's three theater spaces hosts a wide-range of performances by
local and nationally known artists and organizations- the Hardy and Betty Sanders black
box theater, the traditional William Edrington Scott Theatre, and The Vault, which hosts
Fort Worth Fringe acts.
HISTORY
Located at 1300 Gendy Street, Arts Fort Worth is part of the most architecturally
significant museum districts in the United States. The striking modern Herbert Bayer
building (with a later O’Neil Ford addition) opened to the public in 1954 as home to one
of the most prestigious and oldest collecting organizations in the state of Texas, the
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. When, in 2002, the Modern moved down the street, the Fort
Worth Community Arts Center opened. Now known as Arts Fort Worth, the building continues to
exhibit world class art and support the performing arts for more than half a century.
LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE SPACE FOR YOUR EVENT?
Arts Fort Worth provides versatile spaces to meet a variety of rental needs. Whether you
require well-lit exhibition areas, unique rooms for meetings, special events, or the
comforts of an accessible, professional-quality performance venue, this dynamic arts
complex includes the black box Hardy and Betty Sanders Theatre, the William Edrington
Scott Theatre, which seats 498 guests, seven galleries, and studio and office spaces,
including a conference room overlooking the Cultural District towards downtown. These
spaces are adaptable to a wide range of uses, including conventions, special events,
weddings, workshops, and theater productions. If you're interested in more details
contact us!
