Fred Tomaselli – Brooklyn Museum – Preview

A “mid-career”exhibition surveying the work of Fred Tomaselli opens today at the Brooklyn Museum. Yesterday afternoon we had an opportunity to preview the exhibit and grabbed some photos to share. It had been nearly a year since L.I.M.O. had a chance to catch up with Fred and it was no surprise to find him in good spirits on the eve of this hometown honor.

The exhibit is a staggering affair. When encountering one of these mixed media masterpieces in the context of a group show, the Tomaselli stands out. His work often alienates itself in this manner. Moving through four rooms of his oeuvre, however, is an experience that one doesn’t question. It’s a larger than human experience not unlike the Great Pyramid or a hurricane. There is no temptation to insinuate and no need for review. Get to the Brooklyn Museum pronto!

Fred Tomaselli with Night Music for Raptors, Brooklyn Museum, 2010.

Fred Tomaselli, Field Guides, photo collage, gouache, acrylic, and resin on wood panel, 2003.

Fred Tomaselli, Red Butte, hemp leaves, acrylic and resin on wood panel, 1994.

Fred Tomaselli, Red Butte (detail), hemp leaves, acrylic and resin on wood panel, 1994.

Fred Tomaselli, Big Raven, acrylic, photocollage and resin on wood panel, 2008.

Fred Tomaselli, Fungi and Flowers, leaves, photo collage, acrylic, and resin on wood panel, 2002.

Fred Tomaselli, Fungi and Flowers (detail), leaves, photo collage, acrylic, and resin on wood panel, 2002.

Fred Tomaselli, Echo, Wow and Flutter, leaves, pills, photo collage, acrylic, and resin on wood panel, 2000.

Fred Tomaselli, Feb. 24, 2009 (detail), gouache and collage on printed watercolor paper, 2009.

Fred Tomaselli, Multiple Landscape, saccharin, acrylic, and resin on wood panel, 1995.

Fred Tomaselli, Multiple Landscape (detail), saccharin, acrylic, and resin on wood panel, 1995.

Fred Tomaselli, Toytopia (detail), photocollage, gouache, acrylic, and resin on wood panel, 1995.

Fred Tomaselli
8 October 2010 – 2 January 2011
Brooklyn Museum