Colgate University’s Clifford Gallery opened its newest exhibition titled “Then to Now: Thirty Years of Roaming” on Sept. 11. The gallery is not only a showcase of artist Allan Hacklin’s evolving work but also about the exploration of mentorship, teaching and self-discovery. In the exhibition’s opening reception and gallery talk, Hacklin reflected on mentorship and the impact that an artist can create for other artists.
When putting together the exhibition, Hacklin wanted to see a collection of his paintings from various years throughout his life — a reflection on his journey through three decades. Hacklin describes the exhibition itself as an evolution because, with help from his son, he decided to showcase an intriguing layout of paintings made over the years. He considers himself an abstract expressionist, and more than the actual art itself, he seeks to express how his creative expression has evolved, delving into themes of influence and process. The curation gives both viewers and Hacklin himself the unique opportunity to see all these paintings displayed in one room and juxtaposed in a meaningful way.
The gallery features a juxtaposition of abstraction and realism, underscoring Hacklin’s belief that risks are necessary. He feels that risks are key to a good life and expresses how uncertainty can be incredibly important to the artistic process. Hacklin’s approach to his paintings is rooted in a goal to explore his own cognitive process and an overall theme of evolution over time.
Teaching played a significant role in Hacklin’s life. He explained how he loved teaching, but also acknowledged how draining it could be at times. He went on to mention that it almost felt as if some sort of artistic shackles were removed once he returned to only being a practicing artist. His teaching philosophy revolves around the idea of helping students connect with a kind of hidden aspect of themselves that fosters creativity and self-expression. He reflected that, although time-consuming, it is almost integral to the artistic process, because it facilitates personal growth.
Students such as first-year Lila Moss attended the event and heard more about the inspiration behind the gallery.
“I thought the show was really well organized, and I liked how we learned about both the history of the art and the artist,” Moss said. “It really gave the show a more holistic view of his life and journey.”
When viewing the collection, the exhibition lets viewers engage with each piece and appreciate the artist’s evolution over time. Rather than presenting a definitive end product, Hacklin’s goal is to focus more on pure self-exploration. The collection draws inspiration from the mindset Hacklin used to create earlier pieces and utilizes what the artist has achieved, expressed and learned since then. Viewers can see the changes in Hacklin’s artistic style and they can also observe the evolution of his philosophical outlook.
First-year Anna Diemer, who also visited the exhibition, appreciated hearing Hacklin’s artistic story
“After hearing the artist share a little bit about himself and the story, it made the exhibition that much more meaningful,” Diemer said.
Colgate’s Visual Arts Resources and Programming Manager Lesley Chapman provided commentary on the process of preparing for an exhibition.
“This was the first exhibition I have been part of from its inception,” Chapman said. “Preparing the gallery for an exhibition involves a lot of work, often within a very narrow window of time, for Facilities, so I would really like to highlight how much [Facilities] contributed to each and every exhibition in the Clifford Gallery. Basically, it takes a crew of staff from multiple departments communicating and working together to put together any given exhibition […]. That being said, because the staff I’ve had the pleasure to work with is so good overall, this exhibition has gone very smoothly.”
This exhibition is a celebration of self-discovery and artistic growth. It shows the dynamics of risk, process and overall personal discovery, giving viewers an introspective experience. It stands as a testament to Hacklin’s confidence in his craft and his belief that he has the intrinsic ability to create. By sharing it with the Colgate community, Hacklin invites viewers to explore his journey of artistic expression.
“Then to Now: Thirty Years of Roaming” will be available to view at the Clifford Gallery until Nov. 1.
