Lincoln Arts Institute features the works of artist John Cassidy in September

[September 17, 2021]   LINCOLN - The late John Cassidy, an artist from Bloomington who died in 2017, is the featured artist on exhibit at the Lincoln Arts Institute for September. Cassidy’s works on display include more than 70 pieces. Most are best defined as Bohemian art with a few curve balls thrown in to demonstrate Cassidy’s artistic range or versatility.

The Cassidy art was brought to the LAI by the late artist’s good friend and executor to his estate, Matt Erickson. Erickson said he befriended Cassidy in 2003 and the two enjoyed a great relationship relating to each other as artists and loving to spend time talking about their passion. Cassidy was in his 50’s when he died. He had lived the life he wanted to live, supporting his art through his employment, and seeking employment that fed his eclectic Bohemian lifestyle.

Cassidy had a Master and Bachelor degree from Bradley University in English. He had four passions, literature, music, film and art. Erickson said Cassidy’s career choice was to earn just enough to support himself and his passions. “He worked at the best used bookstore in town, and the best video store in town while spending all his money on art materials, books, music, and films.” Cassidy died quietly in his home on February 17, 2017, surrounded by those things he loved.



Entering the LAI gallery, the eye is instantly drawn to the back wall where a 15 piece collage of bright, cheery color has a magnetic appeal, drawing one past all the other works on the side wall to first examine the wall of color.

The wall is a visual definition of Bohemian Art – “bright, patterned, multi-cultural mélange of memorable layers and elements you simply can’t miss or forget for its uniqueness.”

Many of Cassidy’s works are like a grown-up version of “Where’s Waldo.” While the colors draw the eye, the details and somewhat hidden objects within the art are what hold the viewer in place for several minutes examining and delighting when he or she finds yet another hidden component with the piece.
 

Erickson said that Cassidy had a unique way of creating his art. He worked from multiple directions. Cassidy would begin working on a piece, then out of the blue he would turn his art 90 degrees or even 180 degrees and start again with another layer. He once told Erickson that his manner was intentional in that art should be viewed from every direction, and his art could be displayed from any direction. There was no up or down or sideways to his pieces.



In spite of that analogy, there are some of the works in the gallery that are definitely directional. A fine example of the versatility of Cassidy’s work is his pink, purple, gray and white work entitled “Who’s afraid of Virginia Wolf.” While many of Cassidy’s works feature oranges and yellows, this piece stands out instantly for the color pallet, then draws one in to exam the variety of characters embedded in those colors. Erickson said that Cassidy often modeled his work after a film or piece of literature that he loved.


Matt Erickson left, Joe Schaler Right

Walking about the gallery last Thursday evening during the artist reception, Erickson said that even though he has seen and known Cassidy’s works for many years, he still marvels that he can look at a piece he has seen dozens of times and find something new hidden within it.

Guests on Thursday evening had the same experience. As they looked at the art, guests would point out what they were finding hidden within each piece.

A favorite piece in the room was one filled with hidden objects, but with one whimsical corner standing out. Some viewers thought they saw a chicken, a snake, a hat, and a shoe while one saw a very large vulture-like bird.

But everyone saw the same thing in the upper left corner, a self-portrait of the artist himself.



Just when the observers got to the point where they thought they completely understood the artistic style of Cassidy, he threw a curve ball. A still life hanging on display features familiar items with very nice detail and highly recognizable. But don’t be fooled into thinking that it is a generic piece of work. Look a little closer and find the faces that are hidden in plain sight.

Erickson said that Cassidy worked in a number of artistic styles. While what is on display at the LAI this month is primarily Cassidy’s Bohemian art, there are more than 500 pieces in the collection and they include more still-lifes, landscapes, portraiture and more.

Within the exhibit is a collection of other items that Cassidy loved including music, books, videos, and his many notes on the subjects of his affection.

Cassidy worked in hard and soft pastels, and within that collection of items is a notebook he used to sample and identify specific colors.



Also among the items on display is a handwritten note by Cassidy that might best define the man and his art. “You can paint portraits, landscapes or still lifes OR you can paint paintings! And this is the exciting thing to do.”

The John Cassidy exhibit will remain on display the rest of this month. All of the works within the gallery are for sale. The gallery is open every Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. If you haven’t made it out yet, it is definitely worth the trip.

[Nila Smith]