HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) - Milton Duke, of Hot Springs, has inherited a unique collection of art from the estate of Robert J. Brummer, formerly of Hot Springs, who died in March at Noel, Missouri.
Brummer’s work is described as contemporary folk art that reflects the past.
“Robert left all of his collection and specifically made it clear that his books, pottery and paintings were all to go to me. I had no idea that was to happen. Very interesting looking stuff. Some of it was quite sophisticated,” Duke told The Sentinel-Record (https://bit.ly/1tZ9fPI ).
“The sculpture I think is pretty wonderful. It’s quite beautiful. He was not one of the principal artists when he lived here, but a really interesting personality. Some of these (containers) are still not unpacked yet. Robert was a prolific artist.”
Duke, known for his New York City area stage design for theater, opera, television and new product introduction, was “flabbergasted” to receive about 300 pieces of Brummer’s art, he said.
During the early days of Hot Springs Gallery Walk, they became acquainted when the event was “packed with people on Friday night. One met dozens of new people every month from local and international artists to those who had not yet made a name.
“Robert stood out with his ’always’ humor always at gallery walk. I think he was friends with the Beninis,” Duke said.
The late artist’s work includes renditions of bath houses, signs for promoting poetry readings, and a portrait of former President Bill Clinton.
“His Bill Clinton portrait was important to him,” Duke said.
Born in July 1931, near Wichita, Kansas, Brummer’s work has been exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and the Wichita Art Museum, according to his biography.
His creativity and artistic talent were evident when he was a child as he “taught” art at the country schools he attended, his biography said.
As an adult, he spent some time as a street artist sketching portraits in Hot Springs, performed as a clown, enjoyed writing poetry and was a volunteer at local art events. He painted a mural in the former McGee’s Cafe. He was a supporter of the art movement in Hot Springs and served as a host at Hot Springs Gallery Walk.
In his artist’s statement, Brummer said, “I received a scholarship in art from Wichita State University. I could not take advantage of the scholarship, because of a family situation. Dr. John Simoni, a professor of art at Wichita State University, told me it would not make a lot of importance, since I have a style of my own. He told me to keep on painting.”
Brummer did just that, and his paintings and portraits remain in numerous private collections.
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Information from: The Sentinel-Record, https://www.hotsr.com
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