The Crocker Art Museum

I recently went of a spontaneous field trip to the Crocker Art Museum. I think it’s important to take yourself on impromptu outing to culturally diverse places to kickstart creativity and inspiration. I think it keeps things fresh by getting you out of your element. Plus I loved field trips as a kid. Classroom always felt very confining and trips we took cultivated a lifelong love for visiting historical sites and viewing collection of art from around the world. To my school teachers, I thank you.

The crocker art museum is unique in that the it originally inhabited the mansion of a wealthy family that was influential in shaping the history of both Sacramento and California. They were also avid art collectors and many, if not all, of their pieces are still on display. In recent years they’ve expanding into a modern addition which also display much of their modern art.

I didn’t bring my nice camera with me this time. (Like I said it was spur of the moment.) But I did have my phone with me, and it has been said that the best camera, is the one that you have with you. Here are a few highlights from my trip.

Gottfried Helnwein: The Disasters of War 10

I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this painting by Gottfried Helnwein hanging the museum’s collection of photo realistic painting. This is one of smaller less graphic works it’s still really awesome so see it here. His work mainly features children in extreme situations. His goal is to get people to true view and react to the horrors of today’s world. With everything going on with in Syrian refugee crisis, his work feels even more poignant.

Richard Cleaver: Family Fiction-Arcadia I

This piece was one of my absolute favorites that I saw that day. This decadently decorated gilded altar was in tribute to the artist’s family based on a photo taken after they purchased their first home. The description of the piece didn’t go into too much but there are visible levels of hidden meaning that make me want to know more.

Armin Hansen: The Artful Voyage

The exhibit featured an array of painting and artifacts from the artist’s life. Local to California lived worked in Monterey. His works centered on the fishing crews and their vessel having a fascination with shipwrecks. Like with many artist, his talent extended to other aspects of his life, including toy carved chest for his son, model ships that he used as scale for his painting and a dining room table with his his descendants still eats at for christmas dinner.

Wayne Thiebaud: Various works

There is something so striking simplicity of the works of Wayne Thiebaud. I thinks it’s his use of layering colors to achieve the shadow and dimension in his works. His work primarily focuses on sweets so you can’t help but walking away feeling hungry.

Though the Crocker is doesn’t posses many of well known works from widely revered artists they do have eclectic collection of quality works. And the small obligatory plaques next to the works contain very interesting descriptions of the works that many other museums tend to leave out. If you’re ever in Sacramento and in need of some inspiration, this is definitely the place to hit up.