“Paths Not Taken” is an edition of one that I created specifically for “The Road Not Taken” a National Juried Show conducted by the Lander Art Center. The theme for the show was the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. To quote verbatim from the Lander Art Center’s announcement of the Show:
“This year’s juror show theme centers around the well known 1916 poem by Robert Frost entitled The Road Not Taken. Poetry and the visual arts can have the similar ability to evoke thought, reflection, and emotion. This year’s theme, The Road Not Taken can be explored as a whole or focused on a certain phrase or aspect of the poem by the artist. Who is left behind when one goes down one path and not the other? What do we sacrifice for taking the road less traveled? The poem is to be interpreted by the individual artist.”
The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I undefined
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The show was juried by the Wyoming based, eclectic artist, Christopher Amend. Here are excerpts from the juror’s statement:
“I look, first, for visual impact. I am drawn to structure: to a satisfying arrangement of visual rhythm and rhyme, to an integration of underlying structure with surface texture, color, et cetera. I find good drawing irresistible. Second, I look for meaning. I am drawn to narrative; I find drama and whimsy equally compelling. I look for clarity, but find mystery perhaps more satisfying. For purposes of this show, I have chosen both literal and metaphoric associations with the poem. I value deliberation over spontaneity, adventure over certainty, and poetry over prose.”
The exhibition which showcases the work of 29 artists, runs from November 1st to December 7th at the Lander Art Center, 224 Main Street in Lander Wyoming. Click here to visit the Lander Center website.
