The Arthur Roger Gallery will present two environmental installations and an exhibition of paintings by Steve Rucker. The opening of the Rucker exhibit on August 1st from 6-9pm will coincide with the Warehouse District’s “White Linen Night.”
Rucker’s two main installations are “Hothouse” and “Subverse.” The installations were inspired by mass produced flower pots produced by third world laborers. The artist examines the connections between found and handmade ceramics and other found and handmade fabricated materials. By doing so he points out the givings and misgivings in this Southern land of plenty.
The artist’s paintings are oil and pencil on masonite and were done without the use of a paintbrush. They refer to the landscape and metaphorical possibilities of abstractions under the influence of extreme heat and humidity.
Since 1981 Steve Rucker has taught ceramics at Loyola University where he is now an Associate Professor. This project was supported in part by a Loyola Summer Faculty research grant. He is both a ceramic sculptor and a painter. A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, Steve Rucker is inspired by the Southern landscape and drawn to the Mississippi River. In his inventive environmental installations Steve Rucker regularly combines several artistic elements including music.
Steve Rucker received his Master of Fine Arts degree from LSU in 1979. He has had several solo exhibitions in New Orleans including several major installations at the Arthur Roger Gallery. Steve Rucker has participated in group exhibitions in Boston, Sarasota, Knoxville, and Baton Rouge.