A native Englishman who moved to the United States five years ago to teach at Stanislaus, Senior creates found-object and fabricated sculpture and drawings. His art has roots in mythology and its relationship to nature. His creations also stem from the “culture shock” of his life in the United States.
Senior often uses found objects from his immediate environment as the materials and inspiration of his work. He prefers to collect existing materials rather than buy traditional sculptural ones, capitalizing on equipment at hand.
One exhibit resulting from his stateside experience is “Hare Fleet,” comprising tiny, brown hares that represent a species native to Europe. Senior fashioned them from fired earth and lined them up in a flotilla of boats. The reclusive animals gaze ahead at an unknown future and symbolize early immigrant experiences and the complexity of human consciousness.
Senior grew up in Yorkshire and studied art at both Leeds College of Art and Wakefield College of Art in England. He went on to become a professor of art at Norwich School of Art and Design in the U.K. before crossing the Atlantic.
An opening reception in his honor will be held at HSU First Street Gallery on Saturday, February 2, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. as part of Eureka’s monthly Arts Alive! program.
“Gordon Senior: Tools of Unknown Use and Other Works” will be open to the public through March 9 at 422 First Street in Old Town. The gallery’s hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free and those planning group tours are encouraged to call ahead at (707) 826-3424. Details of the exhibition and other gallery programs are at the First Street Gallery’s web site.