November 2009: "ABSTRACT ZEN/Music for the Eyes" Art and Poems by Max Redfire Wheeler

View "Eye On Art" segment here: http://www.fctv.org/ts/node/496

An exhibition of paintings and poetry by Woods Hole resident Max Redfire Wheeler will be on display at the Maser Gallery at FCTV Community Television, 310 Dillingham Avenue, from November 1 – December 3. Opening Reception: Sunday, November 1, from 3 - 5 PM.

“In early adult years, I was much impressed with traditional Japanese and Chinese art and poetry,” Mr. Redfire explains. “After settling down here in my current studio (after selling my house in East Falmouth), eager to get a new series of abstracts started, I began thinking of doing a new series of collage on canvas-board, framed in traditional "Plein Air" wood frames. Each piece would have bold strokes of red paint in the traditional Oriental
style. I looked at the Chinese character (wood stamp), and then did a composition, using a wide range of papers.”

Thus he created his “Quiet Dream” series sporting titles such as “Honor,” “Destiny,” “Beauty,” “Flower,” and “Moon.”

As a youngster Redfire remembers “always drawing intensely on a daily basis.” An early ink drawing won First Prize in a Boston Public Library poster contest. During the same year, he wrote his first love poem, “From the Window.” Mr. Redfire cites his ninth grade teacher as an influence in art and drawing still-life pastels. He later studied at the DeCordova and Boston Museum Schools, as well as studying the monotype with Beverly Edwards on Cape Cod.

Mr. Redfire’s artwork has been shown at the DeCordova Museum in Lincoln, MA, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and in galleries from New Mexico to Newbury Street. His work has also been seen in juried exhibitions throughout New England. Private collectors include interior design firms, corporations, Las Vegas Magician, among others.

“My poetry ideas often come to me as I am walking in Zen harmony with nature,” says Redfire. “Very often I awake in the wee hours of the morning with two or three wonderful words banging around my brain…and I immediately jump up to write the words. I write, think and rewrite in the quiet dance of wonder. And next thing I know, the sky is alight, and it’s daytime.”

Mr. Redfire’s poetry has earned him numerous accolades. “The Zen of Water” poem won first prize in Writers Journal of the 2002 National Poetry competition; “A Peak At Satori” won the Editor’s Choice Award 2007 by Howard Ely, International Library of Poetry; Writer’s Digest gave him Honorable Mention for “Blue Wind.” Earlier this year he gave a reading at the Woods Hole Library.

For more information: xamredfire@aol.com; studio: 508.540.4345.

Exhibit Hours:
Sunday & Monday, 2-10 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 10 – 10 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.