WENDELL — Walking through Richard “Dick” Baldwin’s art exhibit, one might think the collection of works comes from at least a dozen different artists.
Oil paintings of New England wetlands and abstract sculptures made from jewelry — including a mirror studded with pictures of baby dolls — line the walls of the Wendell Free Library, a tribute to the late artist’s five-decade career.
Baldwin, a longtime Wendell resident, died in May 2017. A teacher, a poet, a sculptor and a painter, Baldwin is remembered for his eclectic art, which will be on display at the 7 Wendell Depot Road library until June 30.
“Dick was a lifelong learner who delved into many interests,” said Phyllis Lawrence, Baldwin’s ex-wife and self-described “best friend.”
After Baldwin’s death, Lawrence, Baldwin’s partner Joy Brenneman and several friends began scavenging through his work, dating from 1970 to 2008, so the library could have the exhibit, The Art of Richard Baldwin (1938-2017): A Retrospective of Paintings and Small Creations.
Much of the art has never been seen by the public — some of it is unfinished — but the collection represents Baldwin’s quirks and many interests.
“He had an edge that made him a little unusual, but that’s what made him interesting,” Lawrence said, talking about one of Baldwin’s oddest work, “Mirror Piece.”
With a mirror as his canvas, Baldwin implanted photographs of local road maps, food, candy and — most prominently — old baby dolls across the glass.
“He had a big thing for baby dolls,” said Lawrence, make note of one of the particularly old, out-of-shape dolls she donated to Baldwin for the piece.
“A lot of the things he did, they were a little weird,” Lawrence said. “Those things, dolls, are a little off, but when you think about it, really have meaning to all of us.”
Baldwin employed wood, glass, metal, paint and any material he could get his hands on for his art, Lawrence said. His approach as an artist resulted in some bizarre works, like “Mirror Piece.”
Other pieces of his are perfectly conventional, like “Salt Marsh,” a 2001 painting of an idyllic, boggy vista at sunset.
The variety in his art is indicative of Baldwin’s many influences. Polished steel, abstract sculptures akin to those of David Baldwin, or paintings of everyday items, like the kitchenware of William Bailey’s paintings, are mimicked in some of Baldwin’s creations.
Baldwin picked up these influences throughout his lengthy career, which began as a student at Dartmouth College where he won awards for his poetry. He continued learning about different art forms at Indiana University, where he concentrated on sculpting and drawing.
He would later teach art at a private school in Connecticut and then Greenfield Community College, and meanwhile his work would be featured in art shows in Springfield, Northampton and other places throughout western Massachusetts.
The one thing that brings all of Baldwin’s pieces together is that they keep people guessing. Lawrence paraphrases Baldwin’s own description of his approach as “seeing is as paramount as the scene” in art. Baldwin wanted to provoke different reactions in people.
According to Lawrence, the viewers — scratching their heads while looking at Baldwin’s pieces of art — and their perspectives are just as important as the actual painting or sculpture. The “Mirror Piece,” in which the observer literally becomes the background of the piece, is a perfect example of this approach.
Those interested in learning more about Baldwin’s art may attend a reception on June 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the library.
Reach David McLellan at
dmclellan@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 268.