FEATURE
PAGE
6
SEP
26 2013
Local artist Gerry Matthews is inspired by surealism and absurdism. The Unnatural History Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and admission is free. Photos by Li
Local artist exhibits eclectic work at Museum of Un-Natural History from MUSEUM, page 1
Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. he sits in the midst of his art, waiting for people to come explore and to make whatever interpretations they will. One of his pieces is titled “Diana of the Hunt” or “Dangerous encounters of the third grade.” Created shortly after the Columbine school shooting, the primary figure in the work is a manikin of a small boy wearing a short tunic. He holds a bone in his mouth and a pistol in his hand. Gerry had heard people around him saying that everyone should honor their children. This piece of art
shows his interpretation of that. “I think I definitely start off with an object and try to make something with it and other collected things that go with it, and ultimately [I] have the whole assembly turn into something that I can name and that has a point to it. I often don’t name them until after I’ve finished them because I don’t know what they are. And then it suddenly comes to me,” said Matthews. Much of the artwork in the museum is fantastically thought-provoking. Whether the thoughts inspired by the art are positive or negative seems to depend highly upon the person viewing it.
“Well, I hope they’ll go out thinking how witty and wonderful it is and just enjoying it. I get some very enthusiastic remarks and other people who just think it’s ridiculous, but I enjoy it when people dig it,” said Matthews. Some of the work in the museum is very personal. There are multiple pictures of Gerry as a young boy trying to steal a kiss from the neighborhood girl, and one piece of work even includes his passport and birth certificate. In contrast, many of his pieces make social or political commentary. One example illustrates an image of God, taken
from Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam,” who is reaching toward a light switch in space. Its caption reads, “That’s all folks.” This piece is a customer favorite. Gerry and his wife, awardwinning Broadway-performer Pat Stanley, have five kids between them. Both Gerry and Pat are 82 years old. In fact, they were born just hours apart. Their love story actually began at the afterparty of a funeral for a mutual friend. “The deceased [man] was a gay piano player who we both worked with, and everyone at the party was gay except for me and Pat. I asked if I
could sit next to her, and we’ve been together ever since,” said Matthews. Sitting in his small museum, Gerry almost seemed like a piece of art himself. Despite some age-related challenges, Matthews enjoys the work that he does. “I’ve had this open now for 15 years, so my enthusiasm has died down a bit. I still come every Saturday because I’ve got it and I don’t know what else it would be. What else am I going to do with it? My concern is that I’m getting old and I don’t know how much longer I can climb those stairs or how much longer I want to come up here. But I’m drawn to it every week.”
Book nooks engage buyers from BOOKSTORES, page 1
The unassuming mounds of old yellowed paper are enough to entice one to sit and peruse for hours. “I come here often because I like the selection of books,” said one customer. In such a slightly disorderly atmosphere, I feel no pressure to be aware of anything else but the ‘70s science fiction novel I’ve happened to pick up. Hidden behind these unpretentious paperbacks with the sound of a classical music playlist in the background, it’s easy to be content with the smell of an old book and the words on the page. In the heart of downtown, on the way to 20 of my favorite restaurants, lies Book and Game. True to its word, the store at 38 E Main St. sells both books and games, in addition to fancy soaps, entertaining coffee table books, science kits and 3-D puzzles. Whitman students often visit the store for these extra items. “I love all their board games!” said senior Jane Carmody. Book and Game still feels like a small-town locality despite its cleaner, hipper look and the loud crackling
of
newly opened hardbacks. “We try to create a family feel,” said manager Becky Hatley. With walls lined with paintings of rolling wheat fields and shelves full of fun trinkets, it’s obvious that this shop is a Walla Walla specialty, and many Whitman students frequent the shop. “I’ve been in Book and Game quite a few times. It has quite an assortment of board games and nice stationary. Overall a delightful place,” said sophomore Kai Rasmussen. Also in walking distance of campus is Just Right Books on 1905 E Isaacs Ave. The shelves in Just Right Books are crammed with old and used books, organized by genre with signs sporting clip art to create an obviously personalized touch. What makes Just Right Books special is their dedication to providing old books and a collection of rare finds. In fact, they recently had a sale on books published before the 1970s. Whether customers find their perfect books or not, these stores all provide cozy spaces to get comfortably lost in.
Walla Walla is home to three colorful, independent bookstores. Customers can browse through a wide selection of used books at Earthlight or Just Right Books, or shop for quirky trinkets at Book and Game on Main Street. Photos by Li