Old Books And New Tales

John Frederick Walker is an author of note: His “Ivory’s Ghosts,” a passionate history of ivory and the slaughter of elephant herds over the centuries, was a best seller. Walker is also a visual artist, and an exhibition combining both of his interests opens June 5 at Ober Gallery in Kent. In “Bookworks,” Walker has altered old books and journals to tell new stories, recall old ones and give entirely different meanings to the originals. Because Walker has long been obsessed with multipanel work — diptych, triptych — the book gutter divides two panels on which to tell his new narratives or hint at hidden meanings. Especially touching is an open book with two elephants, each bound with chains, one on each side of the gutter. They are stoical, sad and frightened. Another arresting piece is a black book splayed with its board covers and red spine facing us. Through jagged trapezoidal cutouts the same young face — nose, open, red-lipped mouth, one pink cheek only — shows through on each side. Is the face boy or girl; is the mouth singing or screaming? These pieces are worth a visit. Over at The Morrison Gallery, also in Kent, another multi-artist show will end its run on June 11. The most dramatic and accessible pieces are by Warner Friedman and his wife, Janet Rickus. Friedman paints the outside from the inside: landscape or sea or outdoor scenes are always viewed through man-made structures. In “Blue Pier,” the water is framed by a box of weathered wood with a plank floor. As usual the canvas itself has been shaped to give a sense of depth and dimension. Rickus paints meticulous, colorful and often luminous still lifes. They are always seen from eye level and often arranged on white table linen. Her fruits and vegetables, frequent subjects, are intensely real and positioned so that they relate, almost seem to communicate. They are also quite sensual: Ober Gallery is at 6 North Main St. in Kent; 860-927-5030; www.obergallery.com The Morrison Gallery is 8 Old Barn Road in Kent, 860-927-4501 or www.themorrisongallery.com