Harold and Ron Kendall Gift Five Gabriele Münter Paintings Valued at $2.6 Million to Ringling College of Art and Design
Sarasota, FL (PRWEB) February 27, 2015 -- Ringling College of Art and Design president Dr. Larry R. Thompson today announced that Ron and Harold Kendall have donated five Gabriele Münter paintings valued at $2.6 Million to the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. The paintings are on exhibit at the Selby Gallery on the Ringling College campus through April 4th.
The five paintings from the Kendall's collection were created from 1912 to 1959 and provide a view of Münter's development from the founding of 'Der Blaue Reiter' group to later works that further explore flatness and color. Installed together for the first time on the Ringling College campus they bring together the work of female artist who played an important role in the development of German Expressionism and modern art in the early 20th century.
“Our interest in the Fauve painters of the early 1900’s lead us to the work of Gabriele Münter, which was very similar," Ron Kendall said. "Over the years we collected Münter’s created from the 1912's to 1950’s - through the period of her relationship with Vasily Kandinsky and the Blaue Reiter group and beyond that shows various styles and presents a good picture of what she did over those important years. We believe that having our paintings at Ringling College will educate not just the students but also the people of Sarasota about Gabriele and her long-term relationship with Kandinsky – she was his student, mistress and collaborator and they painted together for years. They were so close that you can see the similarity in their evolution as artists during this period."
"As a college in the forefront of arts education, this exhibit represents Ringling College's bold view of art and the creative journeys artists make," said Ringling College president Dr. Larry R. Thompson. "We are so pleased to have Harold and Ron Kendall as Ringling College supporters and fortunate to have them as wonderful friends."
Originally from Canada, Ronald and Harold Kendall have lived in California, Connecticut, New York, and France before settling in Sarasota. During their 50 years together, their love of modern art has grown into a lifelong passion. Their home has become a show place with their beautiful modern art collection of paintings, sculpture and glass art gracing each room. Along the way they continued to collect art and recently to create art; Ron has begun painting and is enjoying this new outlet for his abundant creativity. The Kendall Atrium in the Ringling College's Academic Center’s is dedicated in their honor.
"Ringling is such a progressive college that involves so many arts disciplines we feel it is important for students there to be aware of Münter, who is not well-known in the states," continued Ron Kendall. "We hope this exhibit showcasing her work will encourage renewed interest in her and fellow artists of this style and period. Our dream is to have a fellow Blaue Reiter collector – Perhaps of work by Kandinsky or Alexis Jawlensky, who also painted closely with Gabriele for the first decade – bring their collection to Ringling College so that we may all compare and contrast the evolution of their styles.”
About Ringling College
Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offering the Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in 13 disciplines: Advertising Design, Computer Animation, Digital Film-making, Fine Arts, Game Art & Design, Graphic & Interactive Communication, Illustration, Interior Design, Motion Design, Painting, Photography & Digital Imaging, Printmaking, and Sculpture, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Business of Art & Design. Located in Sarasota on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the picturesque 48-acre campus now includes more than 110 buildings, and enrolls nearly 1,300 students from 42 states and 53 countries. It is recognized as being among the best and most innovative visual arts colleges in the United States as well as a leader in the use of technology in the arts. http://www.Ringling.edu
Rich Schineller, Ringling College of Art and Design, http://www.ringling.edu, +1 (941) 780-8100, [email protected]
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