U City Library Gallery to feature local artist Bryan Robertson

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. – University City Public Library (UCPL) Gallery will be featuring Body Politic, an exhibition of large paintings by local artist, Bryan Robertson in December.

Robertson’s work will be on display beginning Sunday, Dec. 2nd through Friday, Dec. 28th. Those wishing to view the exhibition may do so during normal library hours, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. U City Library will close at noon on Monday, Dec. 24th and closed all day on Tuesday, Dec. 25th.

“democracy,” Oil Emulsion with Pigment on Panel, 48” x 48,” 2018 (BODY POLITIC BY BRYAN ROBERTSON)

In Robertson’s painting, “democracy,” liberty takes the form of a fuse. Robertson explained that a fuse is a sacrificial device that is meant to fail to protect the whole. In the case of Robertson’s painting, the whole is the body politic being switched on and off, “triggered,” by political forces.

“Once the body politic becomes overheated, liberty must yield to collective security and the preservation of ‘democracy,'” Robertson said.

An opening reception for the Body Politic Exhibition will be held on Friday, Dec. 7th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend the reception and hear Robertson speak about his work at 7:00 pm. The opening reception will be in the auditorium, adjacent to the gallery.

“The UCPL Gallery strives to provide interesting and diverse art exhibits each month that are important to the community,” Christa Van Herreweghe, assistant director and IT librarian at UCPL said. “Shows are selected by an independent jury of artists who are familiar with the St. Louis art world.”

Each year, a jury, with connections to the “art world” comes in to choose from a collection of submissions to decide what will be showcased at the Gallery. The Gallery, which opened with the UCPL about 50 years ago has been providing the community with an array of art exhibitions for over 30 years.

Exhibits in The Gallery are made possible in part by a grant from the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis.

Close