Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West on Jan. 16 is launching an exhibit titled “Inner Light: The Art of Tom Gilleon,” whom it described as “one of the most respected masters in contemporary Western art.”
Before dedicating himself to fine art in the 1990s, Gilleon was an accomplished illustrator who worked on NASA’s Apollo and Saturn space programs and then embarked on a successful career with Walt Disney Imagineering, where he was mentored by several of their master artists.
The exhibition will continue through August.
“Inner Light” includes authentic portrayals of Native Americans and iconic Western structures and landscapes.
The exhibition presents a 70-painting career retrospective featuring 12 original paintings on special loan from Walt Disney Imagineering.
“Gilleon worked alongside Walt Disney Imagineering art legend Herb Ryman and other greats, and his art helped develop the concepts for Imagineering’s projects worldwide,” a museum spokeswoman said.
The exhibit was co-curated by Tim Peterson, Western Spirit trustee, and Richard King of KingArts art agency, in collaboration with Western Spirit.
Noted writer, Gilleon collector, and friend Patrick Hemingway described Gilleon’s sophisticated use of colors as “magical elegance” and compared him to modern greats Edward Hopper and Mark Rothko.
In addition to showcasing paintings created throughout Gilleon’s Western art career, the exhibit also presents the world premiere of “Spirit Catcher,” his stunning 22-minute digital painting triptych created with former Disney Imagineer and concept designer Marshall Monroe of Marshall Monroe Magic.
“Tom Gilleon’s mastery of light and the emotional resonance it brings to his art is remarkable,” said Western Spirit CEO/Executive Director Todd Bankofier.
“’Inner Light’ is a testament to his profound ability to infuse his creations with the very essence of the American West, inviting viewers to explore hidden treasures of the soul within the landscapes we often take for granted.”
“The Tom Gilleon retrospective will be a major exhibition by one of the greatest living American artists today,” Peterson added. “His artistic odyssey is a brilliant fusion of nature, light, and spirit that transcends traditional artistic boundaries.”
The exhibit is described as “an immersive experience, allowing visitors to delve into the heart of the American West and discover a world where nature and the human spirit are harmoniously intertwined.”
Signage throughout the show features Gilleon’s own words, explaining his life and work.
Western Spirit features regularly changing and permanent exhibits of Western and Native American art and artifacts, entertaining events, and informative programs that bring the West’s heritage, culture, and community to life.
Other current special exhibitions are “Werner Segarra: Vaqueros de la Cruz del Diablo,” through Feb. 25; “William Matthews: Decades,” through April 28; and “Dazzling Array: The Richard A. Gates Collection of Native American Jewelry,” currently on display.
Western Spirit is located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Within months of opening in January 2015, Western Spirit qualified as a Smithsonian Affiliate.
Information: Scottsdalemuseumwest.org.
