Western Rider: Views from the Car Window

June 3 - Sept. 2, 2006

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Known for his dramatic paintings of the altered western landscape, Denver artist Chuck Forsman, has created a series of photographs made from behind the wheel of his car as he traveled the American West in search of places to paint. The result is a compelling collection of images captured on 35mm black and white film in all seasons, weather conditions, times of day, and geographic locations.

Forsman's views are familiar to all of us who have traveled our part of the country: the distant view to the horizon across Wyoming's vast geography, a deer caught in the headlights, truck traffic on I-80, reservoirs and bridges, urban sprawl, and the city. Forsman's series, often compared to the seminal 1950's work of Robert Frank called The Americans, offers an honest view of America in the new millennium. The series was published as Western Rider: Views from a Car Window (Center for American Places, 2003).

 

Images:

 

Left: Chuck Forsman, Reservoir, Hells Canyon, Idaho/Oregon border, 11 x 14" prints, silver gelatin

Center: Chuck Forsman, Intruders, near Roundup, Montana, 11 x 14" prints, silver gelatin

Right: Chuck Forsman, Skid Master, Cascade Range, Oregon, 11 x 14" prints, silver gelatin

 

Funded in part by the National Advisory Board of the UW Art Museum.