Robert Flynn
Art from the Permanent Collection

March 26 - June 12, 2016

ROBERT FLYNN: ART FROM THE PERMANENT COLLECTION

Exhibition Date: March 26, 2016 to June 12, 2016
Reception Date: Saturday, March 26, 2016 - 2:00pm

Robert Flynn: Art from the Permanent Collection is a celebration of the prolific career of this Pacific Northwest artist. Born in 1930, Flynn worked in the Seattle area for 17 years and then another 40 years on the island of Kauai, where he still creates art today. A sculptor, painter, and printmaker, he is self-trained but taught art at Broadway Junior College and at a night school. Originally employed as a sign painter with a pictorial style, Flynn decided to leave this job in order to devote more time to his art with the emotional support of his wife, Sharon.

A sculpture of a nude woman, holding her hands to her chest.

Robert A. Flynn, Woman Two, Bronze sculpture, 20.5” x 6” x 5” (3.5” x 7” x 7” base)
2015.104.058, MoNA gift of the artist in honor of Sharon Flynn

A large red-orange mark on a black field.

Robert A. Flynn, Red on Black, 1971, Porcelain on steel, 26” x 23”
2015.104.026, MoNA gift of the artist in honor of Sharon Flynn

An abstract painting in blues and greys with deep, swooping impasto marks.

Robert A. Flynn, After the Storm, no date, Oil, sand, and glass on board, 9.25” x 15”
2015.104.061, MoNA, gift of the artist in honor of Sharon Flynn

In an interview with the curator for the exhibit, Flynn recounts how he “was blown away seeing Jackson Pollock’s work at Seattle Art Museum” sometime in the 1950s. He lists many international modern and contemporary artists as inspiration for his work, but places a heavy emphasis on Pollock and the romantic and tonal painter Albert Pinkham Ryder. This exhibit will include both sculpture and paintings, many of which are abstract. The viewer will be able to observe both the thick paint strokes of Ryder, the drops reminiscent of Pollock, and many other Modern art techniques and styles that Flynn made his own throughout his career.

A wooden sculpture, with a carved out face reminiscent of an owl. It is very shiny and smooth.

Robert A. Flynn, Startled Bird, no date, wood, no dimensions
2015.104.090, MoNA gift of the artist in honor of Sharon Flynn

Two red shapes stand above a watery grey mark, green in the background.

Robert A. Flynn, Landscape, 1950-60, Oil, sand, and glass on board, 9.25” x 15”
MoNA gift of the artist in honor of Sharon Flynn

A carved wooden bird. It is very round and its neck is tucked into its body.

Robert A. Flynn, Waiting Bird Two, Wood, 10” x 10.5” x 15”
2015.104.066, MoNA gift of the artist in honor of Sharon Flynn