Sigmund Abeles, Professor Emeritus at UNH and a noted New York artist, discovered the mystical work of Henry Clews, Jr. (1876-1937) at Brookgreen Gardens. On his frequent trips to this sculpture museum, Abeles was entranced by Clews’ innovative use of caricature and symbolism to critique society. These early encounters with Clews’ unique style inspired a young Abeles to become an artist.
Now, more than fifty years later, the Wentworth-Coolidge Commission is pleased to collaborate with La Napoule Art Foundation to juxtapose the work of these two accomplished artists. The expressive, compelling subjects of Abeles’ work offset Clews’ often fantastical and mysterious sculptures. Both of these artists have complete control over their medium to create whatever their minds envision. Together, their work reveals the fascinating ways in which artists relate to and capture the world.
