Community Gallery

Current Exhibition

RTA and the Cosmic Order of Things – Collages by Larry Hurst 

Exhibition Dates: August 7-September 18

Reception: Friday, August 21, 5–8pm

ABOUT RTA AND THE COSMIC ORDER OF THINGS
As you view this exhibition you will see a piece titled “RTA” and another piece with a
reference to rta (pronounced UR-tuh). These references acknowledge my alignment
with the fundamental meaning of rta and its connection to the elements and principles
of good design.
If you research the word, you will find that some scholars refer to the Latin
interpretation of its origin in reference to art. It is generally understood that rta is the
root source of the English word art. (Rta is also the root word for rite and ritual.)
Others refer to early known usage in Sanskrit and other languages. In Sanskrit it
represents the cosmic order of things. As a concept, rta combines the cosmic order
both as a physical and as a moral ordering of the universe. In this context rta can be
seen to encompass the physical, the intellectual and the spiritual.

ARTIST STATEMENT
Often described as “non-objective” my practice involves tapping into the emotional
and intuitive response to making artwork. I believe in finding the moment when the
artist is being led as much by the art as by conscious decision making. This is where
the true magic lives. My focus is on composition, harmony and color with a prevalent
awareness of balance. I seek to communicate on a fundamental, emotional level.
Collage is an old practice traditionally thought of as craft, or at best, folk art.
But during the beginning of the twentieth century, amidst tremendous creative activity
in Europe, Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso utilized collage by adding commercial
papers to painting (1908-12). In Germany, Hannah Höch used photographic images
with collage and is considered the originator of Photomontage (1910).
Also in Germany, Kurt Schwitters broadened the art form by creating not only paper
collages but adding wood, wire and other “found objects” (1919). Much later the great
Abstract Expressionist, Robert Motherwell, said “Collage is the twentieth century’s
greatest innovation.”
I first started making collages in art school when I was 18 years old. These began as
post cards that I would send to friends, who usually responded with one of their own.
These were not serious works, just a fun and creative game.
Over time I began creating deliberate “art” collages on paper that served as a counter
balance to the more disciplined nature of my paintings. This work did not overlap with
my painting process. I saw them as two different practices.
In 2019 my wife, Janice, and I relocated to the Rogue Valley and after a lifetime art
career in the Los Angeles area, it felt a bit overwhelming to begin again. As I was
settling into the new studio space — building work tables, setting up the wood shop,
building walls and storage shelves — I began focusing on small collages on paper.
This allowed me to keep working on art while the studio took shape.
Eventually I began to integrate my collage practice with painting. I began with a focus
on black and white pieces; a few can be seen in this collection. As this transition
continued I added color and more dimensional components, such as wire, metal, etc.
These serve not only as elements, e.g. wire=line, but add dimension and shadow.
The work you see here was created between 2024 and 2026, and represents my
ongoing effort of exploration and discovery using the freedom of collage while adhering
to the elements and principles of good desig