Art & Music
‘ The South ’ s Most Elusive Artist ’
Exhibit featuring works by Walter Inglis Anderson comes to The MAX Story by Glenda Sanders , Photos courtesy of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art
His passion for nature and his beloved Mississippi Gulf Coast emanate from his distinctive paintings and prints , but Walter Inglis Anderson remains something of an enigma to many of his fans .
One the most nationally recognized and productive Mississippi artists , Anderson was a painter , muralist , potter , naturalist and wood carver , leaving behind thousands of works of art following his death in 1965 at the age of 62 .
During the final two decades of his lifetime , Anderson lived a private , almost solitary life away from his wife and children in his cottage on his family ’ s Shearwater property . His favorite place to be was on his beloved Horn Island , a small , uninhabited barrier island wilderness just beyond the Mississippi Sound , according to histories of the artist . Rowing to the island in his small skiff , he lived alone with nature weeks at a time , exploring the waters , marshes and woods , as well as keeping logs of his activities and painting prolifically , drawing inspiration from the flora and fauna on the island .
“ Walter Anderson was a wholly unique and prodigious creator who does not fit neatly into any one category of art ,” said Julian Rankin , executive director of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs . “ He was as talented in watercolor as he was in print making , as deft an illustrator as he was a muralist .”
In early September , the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience will host a
Walter Anderson traveling exhibition of Anderson ’ s work , titled “ The South ’ s Most Elusive Artist : Walter Inglis Anderson .” The exhibit , which seeks to introduce audiences to the intriguing artist and his work , is organized by the Walter Anderson Museum of Art and draws from its permanent collection and from the Anderson family .
Anderson not only worked in oil , pen and ink , watercolor and pencil but also sculpted in wood , crafted furniture , carved and decorated pottery and cut large linoleum blocks for print making . Forty original art objects he created will make up The MAX exhibit .
“ Within the exhibition , jewel-toned watercolors are accompanied by the lyrical lines of pen and ink illustrations ,” according to the traveling exhibit ’ s description . “ Deftly executed pencil sketches present the artist ’ s understanding of form and style , and glowing examples of ceramics decorated by Anderson provide examples of the artist ’ s versatility and ingenuity .”
The exhibit , which will open with a members-only reception and preview party Friday , Sept . 6 , will include rarely seen watercolors , block prints , ceramics and sketches alongside some of Anderson ’ s most recognizable and iconic works . Anderson ’ s youngest son , John G . Anderson , and filmmaker Anthony Thaxton , who created and produced a film on Anderson ’ s life in collaboration with restaurateur Robert St . John , will be in attendance at the opening reception .
Both men will return to The MAX the following day , Sept . 7 , when the exhibit opens to the general public . John Anderson will be on hand to discuss and sign copies of his new book , “ The Bicycle Logs of Walter Anderson .” Illustrated with never-before-seen art from the Anderson family ’ s private collections and built around unabridged personal travel journals never published before , copies of the book will be available for purchase at The MAX Store . Cycling groups will be invited to ride in for the event in the style of Anderson and epic bike rides he famously undertook , and museum visitors can immerse themselves in Anderson ’ s world through an interactive boat trip to Horn Island .
12 • MERIDIAN LIFE