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 Since that time, he has been continuing his
exploration of art led not by conscious thought but by what he calls
“Pure Psychic Automatism.” In other words instead of setting about
to tell a defined story on canvas, he allows his medium of choice,
charcoal, to speak for itself. This leaves much of the
interpretation of his art to the viewer with no pre-defined notion
of what it is that is being viewed.
Tice has a long list credentials in the art world. He is
academically trained in art and has served as an art instructor.
Some will also remember him as the guiding hand behind the community
art projects on the viaducts of South Kickapoo Street and Elm
Street. In those particular projects, one themed “Flower Power” and
the other “Hot air balloons over Lincoln,” the works were defined
and carefully planned to make them workable by all levels of
artistic talent.
At the November show, Tice featured stages of his artistic evolution
dating from 2019 to present. Walking into the gallery and starting
to the right, one can follow Tice’s progression as he dives deeper
in to the Pure Psychic Automatism.
Some of the first works on display are dark and have a somewhat
sinister feel to them. The works are reminiscent of the works of the
late John Cassidy that were on display in September at LAI.
The best similarity between the two artists is the use of “hidden
objects.” While Tice’s pieces are bolder and perhaps a bit easier to
see, the concept is the same. One looks upon the piece and the eyes
fall to the natural focal point. But, when the viewer steps back and
examines the entire piece other objects become more apparent within
the work.
For example, in the piece above, the eye may quickly go to the
conventional man in suit and tie with his mouth gapping open. That
is the natural focal point of the drawing. However, as the eye
travels away from the man, the story unfolds. One sees instantly the
fire, and then the focus goes to the white object, and the awakening
of the idea that the fire is a burning space ship.
Then in the corner one sees the little green man with large round
eyes and the story is told.
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There are a number of pieces in the show where the story is
intentional and easy to interpret. But there are other pieces that reflect
Tice’s evolution into the Pure Psychic Automatism and beyond.
The November show features several pieces that display style and
method as Tice worked toward psychic automatism.
Among other things, Tice has been working with developing his own charcoals. To
start, he worked with standard charcoals he could purchase at art supply stores,
but was did not like the lack of diversity in the texture and tone of the
medium. He began exploring different versions of the product, some
self-manufactured. He now works with maple, cherry and pumpkin charcoals, along
with commercial products.
In addition, he created his own drawing tool that he used to do his psychic
automatism drawings at the last full moon. In those drawings, he allowed the
charcoals to speak via a series of marks made by the tool, which holds numerous
charcoals at one time. The drawings were done quickly and without conscious
thought from Tice.
Tice is still experimenting with psychic automatism, but is also evolving into
another stage of his artistic awakening.
As the tour around the gallery approaches its end, the works reflect a
manipulation of his quick drawings, with lines and colors added to create a
defined work.
Some of the best and most relatable of these works are one titled “Can’t Get
Back to Devil’s Tower,” and another entitled “Rushmore.”
The LAI hosted an artist’s reception for the Tice exhibit on Thursday, November
11th. Tice was on hand and visited with guests and shared his interpretations of
the works and also listened to the guests as they explored their own
interpretations.
Be sure to stop by and check out the works of Christopher Tice and remember to
leave your pre-conceived notions of art at the door, and allow your mind to
explore the works in a pure psychic nature.
The exhibit will continue through the balance of November. The Lincoln Arts
Institute is open on Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The gallery will also
be a part of the Small Business Saturday events in Lincoln and in December will
host the Gingerbread Contest sponsored by the Logan County Tourism Bureau.
[Nila Smith] |
