Alfred Glover: Ralph & Martha Espalier Trees
On view
Alfred Glover: Garden Grove
April 1 – December 22, 2020
The Cahoon Museum’s drive-by exhibition, Garden Grove, featured colorful sculptures by Cape artist Alfred Glover. The exhibition was part of the Museum’s ongoing Streetside series.
Garden Grove consists of a series of whimsical “trees” with giant ginkgo and philodendron leaves that are inhabited by baby birds in blue nests, spotted dogs, exotic flowers, and other creative creatures.
A lifelong artist and Cataumet resident, Glover is well known to regional audiences for his fanciful, enchanting sculptures created in wood and metal. His inspiration comes from exotic flora and fauna he has seen on his international travels, as well as stories and memories from his childhood. Two of his espalier trees, on view by the Museum’s front door, were inspired by time spent in Rockport Maine when he was a small child, fascinated by wrought iron espalier frames he saw on antique buildings.
“Most of these works on display at the Museum have stories,” Glover explains. “Some are inspired by my childhood; others emerge as I work on the pieces. Sometimes the animals inspire me after the work is finished.” One of the pieces on view illustrates the story of a spotted dog who travels on an adventure that leads him from the ground all the way up to a bird nest at the top of the tree.
The aluminum sculptures are constructed using metal from old fuel tanks that Glover purchases and recycles. The artist uses a band saw to cut organic, curvilinear shapes and then welds the forms together. He colors the sculptures using highly durable etching primer -which eats into the aluminum- or old-fashioned sign paint, which is available in a vibrant palette of colors and stands up to outdoor weather without fading.
As a working artist for over four decades, Glover’s artwork has taken many forms, always with his signature joyful take on nature. Most recently he has been working on metal trees, trellises, and garden gates. His sculpture is widely collected and exhibited in museums and botanical gardens throughout the East Coast.
Alfred Glover is a mixed-media sculptor who works out of a studio in Cataumet on Cape Cod. His whimsical carvings, paintings, and painted aluminum sculptures blend storytelling and folk art in colorful and imaginative combinations. Birds, fish, snakes, dogs, and other animals make frequent appearances in the friendly menagerie that are playfully represented in his work. Alfie incorporates these hand-made creatures into brightly painted trees, trellises and tropical foliage constructed out of metal and found objects, such as hand carved driftwood.
“My imagery is mostly animals combined with a variety of colorful foliage, fruits, and dazzling flowers,” the artist explains, “my work represents new growth and new hope.” Glover describes his colorful works: “[it is as if] birds appeared, leaves sprouted, flowers once again bloomed, and fruits began to grow. The creatures of the land moved right in, realizing that it was a healthy place in which to flourish. The trees are a microcosm of life and good health, a new beginning. A good life, new growth and renewed hope.”
Glover graduated from the Vesper George School of Art in Boston, MA. Early in his artistic career studied painting with Robert Douglas Hunter and Henry Hensche at the Cape School of Art in Provincetown, MA. He has exhibited at the Art Complex Museum in Duxbury, MA, the Cahoon Museum of American Art, the Cape Cod Museum of Art, Heritage Museums and Gardens, and the Society of Arts and Crafts in Boston, and his work is in many private and public art collections including Boston Children’s Hospital.
IN THE LAND OF THE GIANT GINKO TREE
By
Alfred Glover
Once upon a time, in the land of the giant ginkgo tree, a little dog went missing!
Every one and every two, were looking and looking, but could not find him.
The giant ginkgo tree was the central meeting place for everyone in the village.
A small group of animals met there to start the search for the puppy.
Climbing up into the branches of the tree, the cat meowed over and over… “Puppy, Puppy, where are you?”
No Response.
The little snake hissed and hissed as loud as he could for the puppy.
Several local birds, who lived in the tree, flew all around, looking and chirping!!
Now the opossum people heard of the missing puppy and joined in calling out in the language that Opossum people use: “Po, Po”. But they heard no answer.
Finally, the mother and father of the puppy, climbed to the tippity top of the giant ginkgo tree… There they found their little puppy sitting in a large nest with three baby birds.
When they all got back down to the ground, they shook the tree and feasted on the many delicious fruits provided by the wonderful giant ginkgo tree.
The end for now ….
