NOVEMBER 6, 1999 - FEBRUARY 27, 2000

Walter Anderson’s still life watercolor, unlike his more familiar work, were carefully composed in the relative tranquility of his cottage studio – exquisitely painted and enriched by eclectic references and metaphor.

Historically, many artists have scorned still life painting. The traditional subjects, flowers, fruit, food, material goods were the transitory pleasures of the earth, representing the fleeting moment of perfection. But to Anderson change was the most fascinating thing. He delighted in the minute and subtle alterations in color and gesture as fruit ripened and rotted. In four watercolors a stalk of celery gradually droops and browns. He sought the transitional—that which was in the process of becoming something else.

On Horn Island his still life paintings were studies from dead birds, sea creatures, flotsam and stumps of driftwood. Death was not an ending but one more change which undoubtedly led to another. His vision and mystical gifts animate the watercolors with life beyond stillness.