September 26, 2024: Enjoy a brief tour with Wendy Rodrigue of the exhibition, “Dream BIG! Paintings by George Rodrigue,” on view at the Santa Fe Community College Visual Arts Gallery through October 2, 2024.
“Every great artist has taken a common thing and made people see it in a different way.”
G.R.
From the exhibition’s wall text:
Dreams are the portal to creativity. They are tied to instinct and desire, and they are the birthplace of ideas. As a young artist, fresh out of art school from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles in 1969, George Rodrigue (1944-2013) made the bold decision to return to his homeland in Louisiana, determined to fulfill his own dreams.
Rodrigue was motivated, optimistic and maybe a bit naïve, never imagining he would be the one responsible for promoting his own work. However, with little interest from galleries or agents in his dark, repetitive landscapes, that is exactly what he had to do. After selling paintings for years across the country from the back of his car, Rodrigue eventually opened his first gallery in his home in Lafayette, Louisiana. It wasn’t until 1998, that he and his wife Wendy acquired their own gallery in the French Quarter of New Orleans, fulfilling one of Rodrigue’s objectives.
George Rodrigue’s artistic journey was deeply shaped by his childhood experiences, particularly his battle with polio, which he contracted at the age of nine. This pivotal moment fostered a profound connection to art as a means of expression and healing. Following his recovery, the memories of his fellow patients — especially those in iron lungs — left an indelible mark on him. Driven by a desire to lessen the fears of these young patients, Rodrigue channeled his creativity into creating joyous paintings on reflective surfaces, now installed in children’s hospitals in Louisiana, Texas and Tennessee.
The paintings in this exhibition explore not only these philanthropic visions, but also some of Rodrigue’s greatest public accomplishments. One of these collaborations was the Xerox project in 2000, a significant turning point in Rodrigue’s career, catapulting his work to a global audience. This collaboration with top advertising giants in New York not only showcased his artistic talent but also brought him a substantial financial windfall. The success of this project allowed him to pursue his dream of owning a home in Carmel Valley, California, where he could design and build his ideal studio. Rodrigue’s fame and commitments in New Orleans left him little privacy or time for painting, but the quiet landscape of Carmel provided a delightful sanctuary. This became his primary studio for the rest of his life.
Rodrigue also found refuge and comfort in the art community of Santa Fe. It was a place where he saw creativity and dreams flourish, a place where artists encouraged one another, free from the competitiveness of larger urban cities. In 1987, his one-man exhibition within Rosalea Murphy’s apartment above her Pink Adobe restaurant marked a pivotal moment in Rodrigue’s career, showcasing his work to an audience that appreciated the spirit of artistic exploration. A deep, lifelong friendship developed between Rodrigue and Murphy, an artist herself, originally from New Orleans. The portrait Rodrigue created of her is a poignant tribute to their relationship and is on view for the first time since its inception.
Rodrigue’s unwavering spirit serves as an inspiration to many. His message resonates with young artists, reminding them that the journey toward their dreams often requires resilience and dedication. Rodrigue never let his dreams die, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to motivate young artists while encouraging the next generation to pursue their passions, believe in their potential and find joy in the process.
Dream BIG and Enjoy Life!
“I realize more today than ever that Europe had to experience the Dark Ages in order to have the Renaissance. Art reinvents itself by people who go through things that they may not understand at the time. There’s always hope that new generations will discover new things that eventually propel society forward. For lack of a better word, I feel now a renaissance in the way I look at things and in the way the Blue Dog looks at me.” G.R., from Wendy’s journal, 2013
This exhibition is curated by Dana Holland-Beickert of the Life & Legacy Foundation. Presented by SFCC Continuing Education, the SFCC Foundation, the Santa Fe Community College School of Arts, Design and Media Arts, and the Life & Legacy Foundation. All artwork on loan from the collection of Wendy Rodrigue Magnus.