CONFLUENCE: An Artist and the James River Merge
Carrying 100 pounds of gear mounted to his 12-foot kayak, Richmond artist Steve Hedberg set course in September 2017 to paddle the 320 navigable miles of the James. Hedberg’s mission was to immerse himself within the falls, bends and tides of the James, and to tell the story through his artwork. Hedberg spent three weeks in 2017 and a few weekends in 2018 to complete his mission. This fall, the artist will present a series of paintings, photographs, riverbank sketches and a multimedia installation in his sixth solo show at Glave Kocen Gallery.
In addition to his realistic landscapes, most from the perspective of his kayak, Hedberg relates eventful moments of his trip through his work, such as the encounter with the swimming bear, the son who navigated his blind father through Class 3 rapids of Balcony Falls, and the challenging paddle through white-capped tidal waters to the finish.
This isn’t Hedberg’s first journey-based exhibit. In 2010, he presented an exhibit depicting his travels down U.S. Route 1, from New Kent, Maine to Key West, Florida, a 2,400-mile stretch he drove alone.
In addition to his realistic landscapes, most from the perspective of his kayak, Hedberg relates eventful moments of his trip through his work, such as the encounter with the swimming bear, the son who navigated his blind father through Class 3 rapids of Balcony Falls, and the challenging paddle through white-capped tidal waters to the finish.
This isn’t Hedberg’s first journey-based exhibit. In 2010, he presented an exhibit depicting his travels down U.S. Route 1, from New Kent, Maine to Key West, Florida, a 2,400-mile stretch he drove alone.
To see the complete series, visit stevehedberg.com/confluence
