GLORIA VANDERBILT: AN ARTIST AT HEART

“There she would be at the easel contemplating the next subject matter, painting or sculpture she would create,” said Christopher Madkour, executive director of the Huntsville Museum of Art.

Madkour started his career in the art industry by working in art archives. During the late 90s, he became friends with Ms. Vanderbilt from aiding her with her own art collection. “First and foremost was her art. It was her outlet”, he expressed. Ms. Vanderbilt had been painting since the age of 10.

“Her most precious time was in her art studio,” said Madkour. She expressed her emotions even social matters through her art. “Her creative spirit is what lead her to start the Vanderbilt fashion line,” said Madkour

Gloria Vanderbilt officially launched her fashion line in 1976. She is most known for her designer jeans. They became so popular that she expanded her line to more clothing and even perfume. Although she had great success in the fashion sector, art was always her greatest creative outlet.

In 2002, years after Madkour moved to Huntsville to take on the executive director role at the museum, Christopher was approached by a board member to ask if Ms. Vanderbilt could be a guest of honor at the museum’s annual gala held in March of the following year. She accepted.

Upon her arrival she toured around the city of Huntsville and was taken by the warmth and hospitality of the city. In 2012, Ms. Vanderbilt offered to host a fundraiser for the museum at 1st Dibs showcase, an e-commerce company located in New York, and it was very successful. Her efforts helped the museum greatly and they will be forever appreciative. The museum is honoring Ms. Vanderbilt and her efforts by hosting an exhibit that will show case approximately 30 of her paintings and a few of her sculptures.

She painted in various mediums and styles. Her style, colors and subject matter were very strong and bold. She would always pull inspiration from her imagination. Mr. Madkour expressed that he felt her work was close to fauvism, an artistic movement that took place in the early 20th century.

The paintings produced during that time were most known for their bold colors and over representational realistic values maintained from impressionism. She not only painted but she also sculpted 3D dream boxes that were very personal and dark in subject matter or meaning.

The exhibit will not only highlight her work, but photographs taken of her through the years will be on display. They will be held in their own second gallery along with memorabilia of her connection with Huntsville.

“We know Gloria Vanderbilt as an heiress, author, model, mother of Anderson Cooper and creator of designer jeans. What we forget or may not know is Gloria as the artist. Her creative legacy will stand the test of time,” said Madkour. He continued to express his gratitude about Ms. Vanderbilt’s many efforts for the museum. Gloria Vanderbilt was truly an artist at heart and her work will finally be able to be appreciated by the masses.

The exhibit is set to open on Oct. 29th, 2020 and close on Jan. 24, 2021. Visit www.hsvmuseum.org to find out more information.

(all photos courtesy of Unsplash artists: Daria Gorbacheva, Mike Petrucci and Sarah-Arista)