Temporary Living, 36x162, acrylic and black walnut ink on three panels.
CONFLUENCE:
an artist and the james river merge
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Carrying 100 pounds of gear mounted to his 12-foot kayak, Richmond artist Steve Hedberg set course in September 2017 to paddle the 320 navigable miles of the James. Hedberg’s mission was to immerse himself within the falls, bends and tides of the James, and to tell the story through his artwork. Hedberg spent three weeks in 2017 and a few weekends in 2018 to complete his mission. This fall, the artist will present a series of paintings, photographs, riverbank sketches and a multimedia installation in his sixth solo show at Glave Kocen Gallery.
In addition to his realistic landscapes, most from the perspective of his kayak, Hedberg relates eventful moments of his trip through his work, such as the encounter with the swimming bear, the son who navigated his blind father through Class 3 rapids of Balcony Falls, and the challenging paddle through white-capped tidal waters to the finish. This isn’t Hedberg’s first journey-based exhibit. In 2010, he presented an exhibit depicting his travels down U.S. Route 1, from New Kent, Maine to Key West, Florida, a 2,400-mile stretch he drove alone. |
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the Paintings |
special thanksThis project required a lot of helping hands along the way. Here are some of those who I would like to especially thank in no particular order.
Brian Vincent and Appomattox River Company Georgia Bush and James River Association Charlie and Wllderness Canoe Company Jimmy and Madeline in Buchanan Greg Velzy, Shawna Wood Shade and the crew at Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Anita Dunning and Emily Huffman of Sherwood Forest Plantation Foundation Dr. Greg Garman, Dan Carr and VCU Rice River Center Earl Swift, author of A Journey Down the James Bob Deans, author of The River Where America Began: A Journey Along the James Fort Pocahontas Kingsmill Resort Twin River Outfitters Jack Cooksey Jeff Saxman Will Loving and Laura Loe Sarah Lockwood, Justin Vaughan and all the fine folks at Richmond Magazine Ramon Puzon Ed Trask Richard Hayes Judy Le Steve Kweller Mom, of course Tom Hedberg Bonnie Karet Jessica Haddad Maggie Tinsley The guy who helped me haul my kayak in his trunk (partly) to the boat launch in Lynchburg the woman at the marina who let me tie up my yak The family in the canoe who had my back The guy at James River Park boat launch with the phone Jennifer Glave, BJ Kocen and Glavé Kocen Gallery for agreeing to this Last but most importantly, my wife Debbie, and daughters Claire and Sophie Hedberg, whose love and support made it all possible No thanks to: Speed boats ATT Wireless |
