Robert McCauley, Explorer II (After Pearce) (2004), oil on canvas, collection of Michael and Beth Willard, Ketchum, Idaho [Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem OR, Jun 6-Aug 2]

Robert McCauley, Flag (Niagara) (2001), oil on canvas [Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem OR, Jun 6-Aug 2]

Known for his stylized renderings that depict theatrical animals in still moments, Robert McCauley works in the tradition of 19th century Romanticism. His work alludes to a time when the landscape was still pristine. By integrating found objects and inscribing text into his paintings, McCauley creates metaphoric images that explore the 19th century notion of "Manifest Destiny" and its impact on the indigenous cultures and environment of the western U.S. The resultant ethical questions have been an ongoing theme for McCauley for nearly 40 years.

Rapids and Pools provides a survey of work produced from 1992-2007. It explores the artistic evolution of McCauley's multifaceted output, which includes paintings, drawings, mixed media, and installation pieces that combine painting and assemblage.

Robert McCauley moved back to his native state of Washington last year after a long and distinguished career as Professor and Chairman in the Department of Art at Rockford College in Rockford, Illinois. Born and raised in Mount Vernon, the Pacific Northwest landscape has held great significance for the mixed media artist, whose childhood shaped a great deal of the imaginative animal imagery characteristic of his work.

www.willamette.edu/museum_of_art/

Allyn Cantor