A painter who started out as a musician, Bruce Price learned from his mentor, the pattern painter Clark Richert, at the Rocky Mountain School of Art + Design, and eventually stretched and bent those lessons into something that suited him better. The resulting work, abstractions expressed in a looking-forward way, have morphed into new dimensionalities that challenge the flatness of traditional painting. It looks simple, sometimes rough, but there is a careful structure behind it all.
See also: - 100 Colorado Creatives: Theresa Anderson - 100 Colorado Creatives: Donald Fodness - 100 Colorado Creatives: Lauri Lynnxe Murphy
That's evident in Price's smart show that just opened at the Denver Art Museum (it runs, as part of the multi-exhibition Spun, through September 22), featuring works on paper -- really more mixed-media collages than paintings -- from over the last few years. That show includes fascinating three-dimensional paper constructions called "Follies." That more sculptural style of work will be explored more closely in another show, Purity Is Death, Transgression Divine, which opens on Thursday, May 23, at the Emmanuel Gallery on the Auraria campus. Purity takes the dimensional works larger, in the form of painted canvas boxes -- work a viewer must walk around to take in fully. There will be reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday; the exhibit continues through June 28. We asked Price, who now teaches at RMCAD and is a member of the Plus Gallery stable, to take our 100CC questionnaire, and his answers follow. Not surprisingly, they are minimal, yet open-ended.Westword: If you could collaborate with anyone in history, who would it be, and why?
Bruce Price: Oscar Wilde -- it would be hilarious, I imagine.
Who in the world is interesting to you right now, and why?
The world is too multiple to pick just one, and people so boring generally, so I'll pick the Cassini Space Probe at Saturn. The pictures are life-changing -- so much planetary science happening now!
What's one art trend you want to see die this year?
The use of the word "creatives."
What's your day job?
Associate professor of Foundations & Fine Arts, MFA.
A mystery patron offers you unlimited funds for life. What will you do with it?
Panic, then do all the things in the list below.
What's the one thing Denver (or Colorado) could do to help the arts?
Everyone, everywhere, buy a piece of art a year made here in Colorado, whether you need it or not. The city/state provide low cost/free studio space, establish an artist-in-business residences program, establish a one-price ticket to all Colorado cultural institutes for students and artists. Pay artists to work for free anywhere. Forgive all student loan debt for art school.
Who is your favorite Colorado Creative?
Rebecca Vaughan, MFA.
What's still coming up for you in the 2013?
Exhibition at Emmanuel Gallery, opening May 23.
Who do you think will get noticed this year in Denver's art scene?
Alicia Ordal is one of the most under-appreciated artists in Denver, so I'll vote for her.
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