Art Trek; ‘Adaline Kent’ at the Nevada Museum of Art
THE CLICK OF AUTHENTICITY
The Nevada Museum of Art is presenting the first retrospective exhibition of Adaline Kent in sixty years. Kent was one of the most innovative and underrecognized midcentury American artists. This retrospective features approximately 120 works that span Kent’s entire career.
Kent’s work spans from 1927 to 1957, ranging from figurative to abstract sculptures in a wide variety of media. There are also wall carvings, drawings, and personal items from Kent’s life. The show’s name comes from a poetic note entitled Classic Romantic Mystic, where Kent mused, “I want to hear the click of authenticity” this was in 1956, just a year before her death in a car accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Marin County.
The Nevada Museum of Art has an exhibition of work by Adaline Kent. In this video, Rebecca Eckland gives us some insight into Kent’s work life.
Some of my takeaways from seeing “The Click of Authenticity” are the energy of Kent’s work, the use of the infinity symbol, and her growth and progression over the years.
“The mountains are calling, and I must go.”
The energy of Kent’s art has its root in the Northern California mountains. You will see that influence as you take in each piece. There are many works with the sway of places Kent traveled as well, but that feeling of trees and fresh air is always there.
The Infinity Symbol is a continuing element in Kent’s work. This use of the Infinity Symbol symbolizes the infinite possibilities that life and art afford us. There may be more to the use of this powerful symbol. When you see the exhibition see what you feel from Kent’s use of the Infinity Symbol.
Being able to experience so much of Kent’s work in one place, encompassing her career from start to finish, affords us the opportunity to see how the artist evolved. For me, it was her growth in the depth of her work more than the skill of execution. There is a magic to Kent’s body of work that needs to be experienced.
So do that, go see “The Click of Authenticity.” I am sure you will want to see it more than once; I know I will.
This exhibit will be at the Museum from January 28, 2023, to September 10, 2023.
For more information go to: nevadaart.org
