“New & Improved" at Black Hawk College -- through April 4 (pictured: Kent Broadbent's "Blue Orange Over Black Gesso").
Exhibit: Through Friday, April 4
Closing Reception and Artist Talk: Wednesday, April 2, 4 – 6 p.m.
Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery, 6600 34th Avenue, Moline IL
A fascinating and absorbing collection of abstract art is currently on view in the Black Hawk College ArtSpace Gallery, as gifted Midwestern artist Kent Broadbent showcases recent works in New & Improved, the fascinating pieces on display through April 4.
Broadbent, a longtime resident of the Annawan area, grew up on the family farm his great grandfather purchased in 1865 and later built a house on. Broadbent and his wife still serve as caretakers to that homestead. He attended a small rural school and developed an interest in art when he was 12 years old. Broadbent's mother believed that he and his siblings needed to develop their talents and encouraged them to develop and enjoy their skills and interests. The high school that he attended did not have art classes, so his mother helped him get into night art classes from a local teacher, and to his delight, his mother later joined him in the classes.
As time went on, Broadbent departed the family farm to attend Illinois State University. Although he graduated with a degree in psychology, he took numerous painting and sculpture classes and continued to take drawing classes at Augustana College in Rock Island after graduation. He returned to the family farm and took over the farming operation.
Broadbent dabbled in painting for a short time after he returned to the farm, but life got in the way. He later worked in the financial industry as a loan officer for the bulk of his career. During that period, his time spent on art diminished. He always had it in the back of his mind that when he retired, the brushes would once again be full of fresh paint.
In 2010, he was diagnosed with cancer and decided to again pursue his interest in art. He was painting again with new enthusiasm and a new found love and appreciation of life and art. His joy of painting is evident to this day, with the vivid colors he uses and the energy of his personal style. Broadbent believes the cancer diagnosis was a blessing in disguise and serves as his inspiration to create art. His preferred style is directed toward abstract expressionist lines, although he occasionally dabbles in abstract landscapes from walking in the country around his farm. The last five years he has been working exclusively in cold wax and oil, and loves the unique depth and richness that medium provides.
In his Artist Statement, Broadbent says, "Every new piece of my artwork starts with a line. Maybe it is an old No. 2 pencil or maybe a stick of charcoal. That line is the begin of a new work. I never know where the line will end up. I add new layers and remove partial layers to reveal the history of the layers. I use various instruments to paint with. I incorporate different materials such as sand, pigment, paper, etc. to add texture. The fun of creating is going from a single line to a bold and vibrant abstract piece of work. I hope that when people see my finished work, they find the joy that I lived creating the work of art. There is no deep philosophical thought behind my work, but I hope people just lose themselves in my work."
A closing reception and artist talk for Kent Broadbent's New & Improved will be held in Black Hawk's ArtSpace Gallery on April 2, the 4 to 6 p.m. event featuring light refreshments and the artist discussing his works. The exhibition itself will be on view through April 4, admission to the gallery is free, and more information is available by e-mailing ArtDesign@bhc.edu and visiting Facebook.com/BHCArtDesign.
