Review

"Forgiveness", Acrylic on Canvas.

Marc Chamberlain
Observations on Life's Pleasures and Challenges

8:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Kansas City, Kansas Public Library
Main Branch
625 Minnesota Ave.
Kansas City, KS
913.551.3280

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday
Runs through: May 18

Gallery site: http://www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/mainpage/main.htm

Marc Chamberlain, like nearly all folk artists, is self-taught. He had a good teacher, and took the instruction well.

Chamberlain's canvases, now on display at the main branch of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, are simple and complex, bold yet often tender, and loaded with narrative detail.

Even if you didn't know that the title of today's featured piece is Forgiveness, the story would be perfectly clear. The bouquet says volumes; so does the dubious expression of the woman at the far end of the table.

The family members in between (and those outside) complete the cast. Some are oblivious to the tension, focused on the food or their own conversations. Others -- especially the shirtless man at the extreme right and the young woman in the pink dress -- are keenly aware of what's going on. (Judging by the shirtless man's scowl, his internal jury is still out and not leaning toward acquittal.)

While the subjects of the painting are -- like Chamberlain -- African American, the scene transcends ethnicity and culture . It deals with one race: human.

Anyone who has ever had to apologize in front of a crowd of relatives will be able to relate to Forgiveness. So will anyone who has ever weighed the decision of whether or not to forgive -- or merely watched the drama play out.

Not everything in this show is so heavy, though. Chamberlain, whose work has been featured at Grand Gallery and the American Jazz Museum (among other regional venues), also draws inspiration from folklore and pays homage to celebrities such as Nat King Cole. The portraits are smoother, less "primitive," but no less expressive.

The library will be open late (5 to 8 p.m.) for a Second Friday reception. It would be a great time to meet both teacher and pupil ... and to offer congratulations for jobs well done.

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