Artistry and censorship: Father, son to show artwork in Pump House exhibit ‘BANNED: Art Inspired by Banned Books’

 

Andris Strazdins’ “As I Lay Dying 1” (Aldis Strazdins photo)

Andris Strazdins’ work “The Forest Floor” is among his three pieces that will be on display at the Pump House exhibit. (Aldis Strazdins photo)

Aldis’ work, “Mehaniskais Apelsins — Bog,” will be featured at the Pump House show. (Aldis Strazdins photo)

Aldis Strazdins (right), astride his Ural, a Russian-made sidecar motorcycle, transports his father Andris (left). (Contributed photo)

By SARAH PARKER | County Line Editor

In a convergence of the visual and literary arts, two local men’s pieces will be among those featured at a Pump House exhibit, “BANNED: Art Inspired by Banned Books,” through November.

Altogether, the juried exhibit features 20 works by 14 regional artists of all media. Held in conjunction with National Banned Books Week, the exhibit is a collaboration between the Pump House and La Crosse Public Library.

Father and son Andris and Aldis Strazdins submitted work suggestive of William Faulkner’s 1930 novel “As I Lay Dying” and Anthony Burgess’s 1962 dystopian novel “A Clockwork Orange,” respectively.

In a nod to the Faulkner title, Andris’ works — done in ink and entitled “As I Lie Dying 1,” “As I Lie Dying 2” and “The Forest Floor” — are evocative of death.

Aldis’ collage, “Mehaniskais Apelsins — Bog” (a Latvian translation of “A Clockwork Orange”), incorporates cyrillic lettering, a graphic element reflecting Burgess’ use of the Russian language in “A Clockwork Orange.”

Born in Latvia, Andris, of Hillsboro, was away from his home country at a young age, when the German occupation left Latvia at the end of World War II and was supplanted by the Russian occupation.

From there, he and his family spent time in displaced-persons camps, eventually moving to the Catskills and then Wisconsin. Also, his family bought a farm in rural Kendall in 1958.

After getting his bachelor’s in fine arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he received his master’s in fine arts from Southern Illinois University, plus he taught art and has been in many shows over the years. Now retired, he and his wife Ilga live in Hillsboro.

A Milwaukee native, son Aldis studied film production at UW-Milwaukee, later owning a graphic design firm in the Milwaukee area and an ad agency in De Pere, Wis., for 15 years.

He and his wife Cheryl made the town of Wellington their full-time residence about a year ago. Purchasing the former Gina’s Pies are Square building several years ago, he now uses the space as a studio for design and film projects.

The Pump House, located in La Crosse at 119 King St., will offer the show from Sept. 13 to Nov. 4.

If you go:

What: Juried, themed exhibit, “BANNED: Art Inspired by Banned Books”

Who: Twenty works by 14 regional artists, including Aldis Strazdins of rural Wilton and Andris Strazdins of Hillsboro

When: Sept. 13 to Nov. 4 during regular gallery hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 12–4 p.m. Saturday. Artist reception set for 5–7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15.

Where: Pump House Kader Gallery, 119 King St., La Crosse

Cost: Admission is free and open to the public

Comments are closed.

  • Easter egg hunts slated for Saturday

    March 25th, 2024
    by

    Local communities will host Easter egg hunts on Saturday.


    Highway 33 reconstruction from Ontario to Hillsboro slated to begin March 27

    March 19th, 2024
    by

    Gov. Tony Evers recently signed a $5.7 million contract to resurface Highway 33 between the Kickapoo River bridge in Ontario and the Hillsboro city limits in Vernon County. 


    Names released in fatal UTV crash

    March 18th, 2024
    by

    The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has released more information related to the UTV crash that occurred early Sunday morning, March 17, that left a local woman dead and a man injured.   


    One dead in UTV accident in town of Wells

    March 17th, 2024
    by

    A woman is dead and one man injured after a utility terrain vehicle rolled over early Sunday morning in rural Sparta. 


    Burn ban issued for Vernon County

    March 17th, 2024
    by

    Effective immediately, Vernon County Emergency Management and the Vernon County Fire Chiefs Association has issued a burn ban until further notice.


  • Window damaged at Norwalk Village Office

    March 8th, 2024
    by

    In an apparent act of vandalism, a rock resulted in a broken window at the Norwalk Village Office sometime between […]


    N-O-W construction project: A bird’s-eye view

    March 2nd, 2024
    by

    Construction at Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School Schools has resulted in a different landscape.


    Brookwood to present ‘Harry Potter’ parody

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    The Brookwood theatre program will present “Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone” on Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 3, at 2 p.m. 


    Combating tooth decay among children

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    During Children’s Dental Health Month, Scenic Bluffs raises awareness on the importance of dental sealants


    Vernon County reports shots fired in rural Ontario

    February 26th, 2024
    by

    UPDATE FROM THE VERNON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE “** UPDATE (1:15 PM): The situation is under control. A male, age 42, […]


    Royall concert slated for Monday

    February 21st, 2024
    by

    The Royall High School Music Department will present a Concert Festival Showcase Concert on Monday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. 


  • Archives