BrandArt

Hollywood Cemetery is a bizarre spot. Cemeteries are time capsules, and Hollywood cemetery preserves Richmond’s history from around 1849 to present. Two U.S. presidents are buried here along with twenty two Confederate generals and over 18,000 Confederate soldiers. It’s the contradictions in the cemetery and its forgotten stories that make it interesting. A more complete history is here. The typography on the engraved tombstones is interesting and the art that is the funeral statuary is fascinating.

I went to see “The Divas and Iron Chefs of Encaustic” at the Anderson Gallery at VCU.  Encaustic is an ancient technique that is increasingly relevant to painters today because it’s hard to reproduce.  There is no digital equivalent.  Each piece is unique and most of these pieces incorporate carvings or sculptural elements like fiberglass fibers.  Cameras have a hard time capturing this exhibit’s color and texture.  Even though it’s best seen in-person, the gallery is also online.