Cathedral Berg At Night, Neelon Crawford, 1994
Anywhere near Lander, Wyoming? Lucky you. Neelon Crawford's extraordinary photography is on display at Lander Art Center March 30–May 15, 2009, with the opening reception and talk by the artist on April 3 from 6-8 p.m. I could do a very long bio about Neelon since we went to high school and college together and have maintained a strong friendship. About ten years ago, I went to visit Neelon and his wife, Susan Hill, another college friend, then in Baltimore, where he'd converted a former branch library into his studio and home. I was so inspired by the space that he'd created--with its paintings, films, sketches, monitors, drawing boards, pegboards, tools, and even snake skins waiting for a later project--that I kept a large photo of it over my desk.
Morning Moon, Neelon Crawford, 2007
Among his other expeditions, Neelon has wintered over in Antarctica five times, photographed steam engines in China, Buddhas throughout Asia, and, well, here's the brief bio from his website, Polar Fine Arts, where you can also see some of Ralston Crawford's, (his father--the painter, lithographer, and photographer) work.
Hawker Sea Fury, Neelon Crawford, 1984
Neelon Crawford (b. 1946) has produced a series of diverse bodies of work
since his graduation from the Antioch College art department in 1969. As
a son of Ralston Crawford, Neelon was exposed to the
combination of travel and picture-making from childhood. His work has
taken him to all 7 continents. His large format photography,
photogravure etchings, and oil paintings include portfolios titled:
Icons of Spirit, Vintage Machines, Reconnaissance, Antarctica, Tools of
Vision, and Wyoming. His work has been acquired by major institutions,
corporations, and collectors. In addition, since the death of his father
in 1978, Neelon has been involved with
managing the affairs of the Ralston Crawford Estate. He currently lives
in Wyoming with his wife Susan Hill.
Yunkang Buddha, Neelon Crawford, 1984
