Food for Thought: A Savory Display of Works from the Permanent Collection
January 27, 2024 - July 28, 2024
Weil Gallery
Our current exhibition is a delectable celebration of art, all centered around the universal theme of food.
Throughout history, food has been a timeless muse for artists, and this exhibition pays homage to that rich tradition. From still-life paintings capturing opulent banquets to modern interpretations that delve into the complexities of our relationship with food, these artworks highlight the enduring fascination with this essential aspect of human life.
Delve into the visual tapestry of our exhibit, where each piece serves as a brushstroke in the larger canvas of culinary art history. The artists draw inspiration from the bounty of nature, the rituals of dining, and the symbolism embedded in various cuisines. It's a testament to how food transcends its basic function, evolving into a powerful symbol that reflects cultural, social, and personal narratives.
Through the centuries, food has served not only as sustenance but also as a source of inspiration, sparking creativity and becoming a symbol of abundance, scarcity, celebration, and everyday life.
Bon appétit, and enjoy the exhibit!
Vale of Tears
Anne Horwedel | Oil | 1977
Purchase from the Suzanne Stafford Memorial Fund 1978.01
The artist states, “Vale (Valley) of Tears basically has a ‘life and death’ theme. One part of this Valentine('s) box, the left side, is ‘my’ life in capsule form. I have placed symbolic objects in the little candy holders which represent part of my life, i.e. the cherries and strawberries are the sensuous delights of my life; the butterfly my love of nature; coins for money and its importance; pearls for wisdom and vision; flowers for the delights of the senses, etc.
The right side is Death - the inevitable for all of us. I’ve tried to show visually that when Death comes, it momentarily overshadows life, i.e. the tears in the candy papers. The other elements surrounding the box are negative and positive elements to further reinforce the concept of life and death.”
Featured Work
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Bloodshot
Colleen Sue “Suize” Coles | Photography | 2007
Gift of the Suzie Coles Estate 2015.17.3
Square Meals: Supersized was Coles’ last major exhibition. She had planned to offer each photograph as a limited edition of 25 but was not able to complete the project. In 2007, Suzie Coles passed away from breast cancer. Coles’ family decided to finish printing the limited edition series posthumously and fulfill her vision. This print is part of that series.
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Strawberry Pie
Barbara Mohr | Oil
Museum Purchase 1975.02
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Radishes and turnips
Diane Tesler | Oil | 2012
Purchase from the Connie and Richar Grace Collection Fund 2013.03.03
In 1986, Diane’s artistic journey took her to the Kewanna/Grass Creek area of northern Iniaa during a short painting trip with a friend. Th expansive skies and simple beauty of the landscape, coupled with the discovery of abandoned houses in corn and soybean fields, left a lasting impression. Returning every summer to gather inspiration, Diane eventually made a significant decision in 2012. After commuting between Virginia and Indiana for over two decades, she decided to make Kewanna, Indiana her permanent home, intending to live and create art in the environment she loved to pint.
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Untitled Box
Irving Harry Sandler | Oil | 1964
Gift of the Alice Baber Estat 1984.28
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Still Life
June Burkholder | Oil
Gift of Burkholder Family 2010.03.02
June Burkholder’s artistic journey began at Westerville High School, followed by her graduation from Ohio State University in 1917. Her paintings have been exhibited at Hoosier Salon in Chicago and Indianapolis, Indiana Artists Club, Herron Art Museum, Swope Are Gallery, and Indiana University.
During World War II, Burkholder served as President of the Lafayette Art Center Board (now the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette) from 1945 to 1947. Her works are cherished in private collections in the Greater Lafayette community and Indiana. Remarkably, she completed her last painting at the age of 92 and lived to the remarkable age of 104.
