43
Blowin’ this way: Dylan pastels coming to Butler in May
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
An exhibition of pastel portraits by Bob Dylan will open May 17 at the Butler Institute of American Art and remain on view until July 12.
The exhibition of a dozen pieces, titled “Bob Dylan: Face Value,” premiered in September 2013 at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
The folk music icon created the portraits expressly for the London exhibit. They depict everyday citizens, and not famous or identifiable people.
In an interview given by Dylan for the London exhibition, the artist was intentionally vague on the identity of the subjects.
Louis A. Zona, director of the Butler, said he does not expect Dylan will come to the Butler for the exhibition. The musician was last in Youngstown in August 2012 for a concert at the Covelli Centre.
The Butler has a reputation for exhibiting artwork by famous actors and musicians. Recent years have brought exhibitions by Peter Falk, Tony Bennett, Jessica Lange, Ronnie Wood, Kim Novak and John Mellencamp.
It is the latter who played a role in landing the Dylan exhibit.
During his visit to the Mahoning Valley in the fall of 2012, Mellencamp mentioned that he occasionally paints with Dylan. The rocker was instrumental in getting Dylan to lend the exhibit to the Butler, said Zona.
“John Mellencamp’s publicist called us about the Dylan exhibit,” Zona said.
Dylan has long been a visual artist and has had several gallery exhibitions in recent years.
Zona said his artwork has a parallel to his music.
“There is a rawness to Bob Dylan’s music,” said Zona. “He has one of the strangest voices in rock music, but it is one of great importance. His music is Expressionistic and so is his painting. It is an emotional-based kind of art. There is an intentional lack of polish.”
The Dylan exhibit will be in the Flora B. Giffuni Gallery, which is on the second floor of the Butler museum at 524 Wick Ave.
It is especially appropriate because the Butler has lately put an emphasis on pastels, said Zona.
The Giffuni Gallery is a dedicated space for pastel art, and is currently featuring the Pastel Society of America’s annual exhibition.