Original art from the estate of Robert Clark Nelson, renowned Mpls. artist, on sale during Art-A-Whirl, May 15, 5-10 p.m., May 16, noon-8, May 17 noon-5 pm
Robert Clark Nelson, 3/26/28-10/10/07 graduated from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1951 and Bethel College, B.A. in 1964. His teaching career began at Bethel College1958-70 and ended as chairman of the art department and gallery at the College of St. Catherine from 1972-1993.
He opened his graphics design studio in 1950 and was art director of “Clipper Magazine,” for Pan American Airlines, graphic designer for MIA and to University Galleries at University of Minnesota exhibitions. He won various awards for designs and his artwork: in 5 editions of Graphics Annual, Walker Art Center Biennial, first prize in painting, 4 awards for Annual Exhibit of Advertising and Editorial Art, 2 awards for Minnesota State Fair, and numerous exhibitions in Minneapolis, Pittsburgh and New York. His medium was painting, printmaking, collages, graphics design and photography. With his photography skills he developed multi-media presentations with up to 9 projectors of various art, travel and religious subjects. He was very interested in panoramic photography and 3 slides to make up one view. He also was commissioned to use his multi-media show as backdrops for plays. In 1981 the local business of 3M purchased several large-scale “photo realism” paintings of his interest in the Apollo space projects which are currently display at 3M.
Robert Nelson’s major interest is in color, used together with large, simple, energetic symbol like shapes. Mr. John K Sherman, Minneapolis art critic, reported that “the curve and the straight line are used together and this
combination moves his art form what would otherwise be austere geometry and rationality of the realm of nature. His bands of color thrust and bend, like living things: they give in their stresses and motion and perform with flexible reaction to the picture’s boundaries and reveal anew his command of flat design and exuberant yet canny color sense.” Minneapolis Tribune, Sun. February 20,1966.
