The international travelling exhibition of rediscovered paintings, prints, and drawings of Edward Hagedorn (1902-1982) opens Saturday, Oct. 8, at RAFFMA at Cal State San Bernardino.
“Volcanoes, Riots, Wrecks, Nudes and Mythology: The Art of Edward Hagedorn” runs Oct. 8-Dec. 10 with an opening reception on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. A special members-only preview and tour will be held 6-7 p.m.
The exhibition is guest curated by Stuart and Beverly Denenberg, editors of the first compilation of essays on the artist, “Edward Hagedorn: California Modernist, Restlessness and Restraint,” which complements the exhibition.
The title of the exhibition is taken from the artist’s own statement for a 1944 gallery exhibition: “Hagedorn hates newspapers, magazines, radios and movies. His favorite subjects are: volcanoes, riots, wrecks, nudes, and mythology.”
The exhibition will explore the tremendous range of the artist’s imagination, wit, bold color and tireless commitment to investigating the human condition. Examples of Hagedorn’s most important works from the mid-1920s through 1940s will be on display. Viewers will be introduced to a comprehensive look at major themes important to the artist, many of which still resonate today, including his motifs of the nude, the landscape and the horrors of war.
These powerful works on paper reveal the hand of a master draftsman and the mind of an astute political observer who rejected the general trend in early 20th century California of local landscapes and coastal views, becoming virtually the single voice of Expressionism on the West Coast. The artist worked on paper in a dizzying number of media, including ink, charcoal, watercolor, pastel, etchings, linoleum cuts, lithographs, oil monotypes and more.
Also opening this fall is RAFFMA’s exhibition of ancient Egyptian artifacts, making its long awaited return after a long-term museum remodeling project.
“Journey to the Beyond: Ancient Egyptians in the Pursuit of Eternity” will explore the ancient Egyptian attitude toward life and death, their pursuit of eternal existence, and
their provisioning for the journey to the beyond.
This exhibition will present in a new context objects from RAFFMA’s permanent collection and on loan from Dr. Benson Harer.
About RAFFMA
The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art is a nationally recognized museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The only accredited art museum in San Bernardino, RAFFMA has accumulated a permanent collection of nearly 1,200 objects focusing on Egyptian antiquities, ceramics and contemporary art. Located at Cal State San Bernardino, RAFFMA houses the largest permanent and public display of Egyptian art in Southern California. In the 2016-2017 school year, RAFFMA will be celebrating its 20th anniversary on the CSUSB campus.
General admission to the museum is free. Suggested donation is $3. Parking at Cal State San Bernardino is $6 per vehicle and $3 on weekends.
The museum is currently undergoing renovations and is open during modified hours Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, call (909) 537-7373 or visit the RAFFMA website.