January 26 - March 9, 2024
From the Nave Museum:
“The Nave Museum is set to host an extraordinary double exhibition featuring the compelling works of figurative painter Felice House and process-driven sculptor Dana Younger from January 26th through March 9th, 2024. Through their collaborative showcase titled “The Peacemakers,” House and Younger aim to challenge and honor the timeless allure of the American West by reevaluating its archetypes, mythology, and values. Simultaneously, their joint venture, “Trailheads,” explores the boundless beauty of Texas landscapes, observing and transmuting the wild spaces and creatures through the mediums of painting and sculpture.
Felice House, an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University, brings a distinctly feminist perspective to the Western narrative in “The Peacemakers.” Through large-scale paintings, House introduces a gender flip that questions the traditional male hero stereotype prevalent in classic Western films. Iconic roles once inhabited by legends like John Wayne and Gary Cooper are now filled by contemporary women, emphasizing House’s critique of the historically limited access women had to positions of power in cultural narratives.
Dana Younger, co-founder of the Blue Genie Art Bazaar and former Exhibits Manager at Texas Parks and Wildlife, complements House’s exploration through sculpture. His intricate works in “The Peacemakers” juxtapose established Western conventions with the harsh realities of westward expansion. Utilizing traditional bas-relief, computer-aided machining, and 3D printing, Younger contributes to the critical dialogue surrounding the cost of Western expansion, prompting viewers to confront the real people and environmental damage often obscured by romanticized representations.
The artists’ collaborative effort goes beyond “The Peacemakers” as they unveil “Trailheads,” a testament to their shared vision of nature’s sacredness and its role in shaping our identity. In alignment with the sentiments of painter Thomas Cole, father of the Hudson River School, House and Younger contemplate the inseparable connection between the beautiful and the good. “Trailheads” becomes a celebration of the American wilderness, capturing the essence of our nation’s identity and urging a contemplative engagement with the natural world.
The Nave Museum’s proud presentation of this dual exhibition not only redefines the American West through the eyes of House and Younger but also prompts a broader dialogue about our times, our world, and the pressing need for new choices in our relationship with each other and the planet. As the artists navigate the Promethean moment of our era, their art becomes a powerful medium for fostering care and contemplation. Through humor, beauty, biting commentary, and a profound connection to nature, House and Younger offer a fresh and incisive perspective on the Old West and the wild spaces of Texas.
Additional details about House & Younger can be found on the Nave Museum website at www.navemuseum.org.
To attend the Nave’s Members-Only Preview Events and Patron Parties held the Thursday evening before the public opening date (January 25th, 2024 at 6 PM), contact the Nave Staff Office at (361) 520-4458 or visit NaveMuseum.org to become a member.
This exhibit is proudly sponsored by Mrs. Kathy & Mr. Brent Smolik and Mrs. Lea & Mr. Luke Smolik.
Exhibitions at the Nave Museum are made possible by the support of our annual sponsors: Explore Victoria, Victoria Television Group, The O’Connor & Hewitt Foundation, Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, Armstrong Transfer & Storage, South Star Wealth Management, Expressions Floral and Gifts, The Inn on Main, and Sherwin-Williams Paint Store.”
On View: January 26, 2024 | 12–5 pm
306 West Commerical Street
Victoria, TX
(361) 520-4458
Get directions