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DSU Art Professor receives Best of Show

           DSU art professor Alan Montgomery recently had a work of art chosen as Best of Show at the Oscar Howe Art Center in Mitchell, SD. Between 75 and 100 works of art were represented. The piece, known as Topos X +Y, was created three years ago. It is a very white painting with subtleties and references to text, and internal and external anatomy. “I knew it was a strong, powerful piece,” said Montgomery. “I didn’t realize anyone else would respond to it. I was honored and surprised to win Best of Show.”

            Montgomery moved to South Dakota in August. The show was the first South Dakota competition he had ever been in. Previously he has shown the piece at “The Art Collective” gallery in Minneapolis, where he lived before moving to Madison. He has also had work shown in New York, and Los Angeles and is currently preparing for a solo show in Lincoln, NE.

            Montgomery describes his art as post modern. He borrows styles from several artists and blends them together. “I like to work on more than one level,” said Montgomery. “My work ranges from representation, abstraction or both.”

            The key to quality art for Montgomery is becoming aware of the synthesis of the times and also knowing the history that proceeded it. “You have to look at the past to discover and innovate new ideas,” said Montgomery. “In my art, I like to add more questions instead of answers.”

            Montgomery moved to Madison with his wife, Shawn and four year-old son, Liam. If you are interested in Montgomery’s work you can find it online at www.artcogallery.com/~amontgomery/flash/index.html The page takes a little while to load.