SMU Prof. Christopher Dolder and Sarah Padilla
As 600 guests arrived via the elevator at SMU’s Meadows Museum for the Saturday, March 20th opening reception of “Human/Nature. The Ridiculous and Sublime Recent Works by John Alexander,” they were greeted by dancer Sarah Padilla in a beaked mask. As they strolled to the front doors of the museum, there were chunks of watermelon in clumps lining the walk.
John Alexander’s “Father, Son and Holy Ghost”
According to Meadows School of the Arts Dance Prof. Christopher Dolder, SMU graduate John Alexander got the significance of the watermelon and loved it. It seems Dolder had decided that after viewing Alexander’s painting “The Father, Son and Holy Ghost,” it would set the whimsical mood for the exhibition. And it did.
As the guests made their way up the stairs past other Meadows dancers with masks and beyond the Goyas and “The Three Graces,” Alexander’s paintings of all sizes filled the Gene and Jerry Jones Hall to the fascination of young and old.
It also took minds off the SMU basketball team’s loss the day before.
John Alexander’s “Life On A “Merry-Go-Round”
Alexander’s collection is on display at the Meadows Museum, that is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, until Sunday, June 28.