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Artists Registry
Taos NM United States
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Artist's Statement
Statement of Work
In an article in The Taos News dated September 26th, 2002 Rick Romancito refers to my work "Reflections" or "Utopia Broken" as oddly titled. Aptly titled would have been more appropriate. Although representational, the painting undeniably contains an element of surrealistic intent unlike yet somewhat reminiscent of the great Italian surrealist Salvidor Dali who often used evocative, descriptive titles such as, "Metamorphosis of Narcissus" or "The Persistence of Memory".
First of all, the demise of the twin towers was just that, two towers. Hence two names. Although I sometimes do this anyway as in "Taos Rainbow" or "Traveler's Gold (also at the Taos Open), precisely because some pieces grow to "reflect" more than one idea.
Secondly, the New York Harbor does NOT reflect the buildings that surround it, at least not as a mirror image; the waters of the Hudson move too fast for such a reflection to occur. As such, the buildings surrealistically reflect the moment everything stopped for us, collectively and personally. Also, on Sept. 11 and out of nowhere the terrorists stopped our world and turned it upside down. In my painting, the flag reflects in the still water out of nowhere and upside down.
And finally, for me at least, New York City represents something utopic, a place where you can realize your dreams (and once upon a time I did). For many it is the stepping off point to America, to freedom and ample opportunity. It represents safety from tyranny and oppression. The terrorists left a hole where mighty towers once stood (represented in the painting by the black holes where the towers once stood). Not only that, they momentarily shattered our collective utopic fantasy, a fantasy embodied by New York City, America and the World Trade Center. It's broken. But Utopia, even if it's momentarily broken, will endure even without the towers as long as we believe in it (represented figuratively in the painting by the real towers).
Okay, so what about the cross? Well, for me at least, the cross represents something spiritual. It doesn't have to be Christian per say. It's just that the cross is universally recognized as representing something greater than ourselves and in spite of such acts of incredible hatred it represents our (at least for some) universal hope for something greater and better than ourselves, something utopic.
As such, the title "Reflections" or "Utopia Broken" does not oddly represent, but rather aptly represents, at least in a small way, some of the intent behind this visual realization of the horrific event we now know as September 11.
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BACKGROUND: ALAN HEUER, a Wyoming native, eventually came to Taos to immerse himself in the art scene here and to paint "Landscapes of the West and Beyond". In addition to being a "Taos Post Modernist.", Alan is a modern-day Renaissance man. He is a published author -- "Search for Harmony", a certified information engineer (C.L.N.P.) and a Master of the clarinet cum laude (CUNY), having performed in all the major New York City concert halls (including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center). He also studied classical landscape painting with Prix de West winner, Jim Wilcox, Gary Godbee of Seattle's Academy of Fine Art, and Kay Hazelip, instructor at the New York Art Student's League, where he honed his artistic skills.
CURRENT REPRESENTATION:
In New Mexico:
Sage Fine Art - Taos
The Enchanted Dreams Foundation -- Taos
Art Exchange Gallery - Santa Fe
PAST REPRESENTATION
Benson Fine Art - San Patricio, NM (Closed July 21, 2007)
Blue Moon Art Gallery - Taos, NM (Closed August, 2005)
Online
www.NewMexicoArtist.com or AlanHeuer.com
Other
Bent Street Deli - Taos, New Mexico
Taos Center for the Arts
AWARDS:
2006 - Taos Invites Taos, 1st Place Representational - Taos, New Mexico
1983 - Rock Springs National Art Show, Honorable Mention, - Rock Springs, Wyoming
1976 - Wind River Valley Art Show, Popular Award - Lander, Wyoming
1973 - Wyoming All-State, High School, 1st Place - Casper, Wyoming
EXHIBITIONS:
2008
Sage Fine Art, Featured Artist, Taos, NM, December
Taos Invites Taos, Invited, Taos, NM, September - October
Taos Center for the Arts Exhibition, Invited Artist, October
Quick Draw, Invited Artist, Taos Center for the Arts Benefit, Stables Art Gallery, September
Sage Fine Art, Featured Artist, Taos, NM, March
2007
Taos Invites Taos, Invited, Taos, NM, September - October
Quick Draw, Invited Artist, Taos Center for the Arts Benefit, Stables Art Gallery, September
Sage Fine Art, Featured Artist, Taos, NM, March
2006
Child Rite Art Auction, Taos, New Mexico, December
Taos Invites Taos, Invited, Winner 1st Place, Representational, Taos, NM, October
Sage Fine Art, Featured Artist, Taos, NM, September
Quick Draw, Invited Artist, Taos Center for the Arts Benefit, Stables Art Gallery, September
Blue Mountain Gallery Invitational, Invited, Small Works Show, New York City, July
Casa de las Chimeneas, Invited, One Man Show, Taos, New Mexico; May
2005
Diogenes Club, One Man Show, Santa Fe, November
Fall Arts Festival, Open, Taos NM, September
Sage Fine Art, Featured Artist, Taos, April & December
Bella Art Gallery, One Man Show, Sheridan, WY, July
Taos Canyon Artists Annual Studio Tour, Taos, NM, September
2004
Fall Arts Festival, Open, Taos NM, September
Sage Fine Art, Featured Artist, Taos
Blue Moon Gallery, Featured Artist , Taos, NM
2003
Fall Arts Festival, Open, Taos NM, September
Sage Fine Art, Featured Artist , Taos, NM
Cultural Art Market, Taos, NM
2002
Fall Arts Festival, Open, Taos NM
Taos Canyon Artists Annual Studio Tour, Taos, NM
2001
Fall Arts Festival, Open, Taos NM
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 -- Small Works Invitational -- Blue Mountain Gallery, NY, NY
1985 -- Fremont Count Library -- Lander, Wyoming -- One Man Show
1984 -- Riverton Library -- Riverton Wyoming -- One Man Show
COMMISSIONS & COLLECTIONS
2008 - "Santa Fe Baldy", Larry Montano & Rebecca Zuchlag, Santa Fe, NM
2006 - "Road to Eternity II", Elizabeth McLean, Troy, Ohio
2002 - "Colorado Over the Rio Grande", MaryAnne Doppler, Broomfield, Colorado
1993 -- Central Park Conservancy, NY -- Mural of “The Foliage and Fawnage of Central Park”
1984 - "Brooklyn Bridge", MaryAnne Williams, Lander, Wyoming
1983 - "West from Avenue H" - Office of the President, Brooklyn College
1980 - "Lander Valley" (harpsichord lid), New York State
1978 - "Snake Branch", Bob Myrick, State College, Pennsylvania
1975 - "Jeffrey City", Hub Cramer, Lander, Wyoming
1973 - “The Ascent of Man”- Library, Lander Valley High School, Lander, Wyoming
PUBLICATIONS:
Santa Fe Circle Buyer's Guide, 2007, 2008
Tempo - Arts & Entertainment Magazine of the Taos News -- December 13 - 11, 2007
Creative Edge - Visual Arts & Highlights of the Taos News -- December 14 - 20, 2006
Festival of Trees & Wreaths -- Taos News Complimentary
Enchanted Homes Cover, Northern New Mexico-- March 2004
Enchanted Homes Cover, Northern New Mexico -- 2003 Winter/Spring Edition
Chamber Business Directory, Lander, Wyoming -- 2002
Lander, Wyoming Merchants Association -- 5 year contract (2000 - 2005) using “Lander 2000” as a billboard
EDUCATION:
M.A. Cum Laude, Brooklyn College
B.M. With Honors, University of Wyoming
PRINCIPAL TEACHERS:
Kay Hazelip -- The Art Student's League, NYC
- 8 years, private instruction
Gary Godbee -- The National Academy of Realist Art
- Intense summer workshops in Taos, New Mexico and The O'Keefe Ranch.
Jim Wilcox -- Prix de West Winner
- Summer workshop in Jackson Hole, Wyoming