The National Museum of Wildlife Art out in Wyoming, which, you may not have known, is built into a hillside atop the National Elk Refuge in Jackson, got five new works for its permanent holdings. A few of the additions are Preston Singletary‘s White Raven (2017), a blown and sand-carved glass sculpture, and Herb Alpert‘s large-scale bronze creation Wildlife (2014). (Yes, that’s Herb Alpert the trumpeter, of Whipped Cream & Other Delights fame, who’s also a visual artist and philanthropist.)
Herb Alpert, Wildlife, 2014, bronze.
© HERB ALPERT/COURTESY NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART
Originally published ARTNEWS – By Claire Selvinposted 08/16/19 1:11 PM;
Herb Alpert’s “Spirit Totems” will be on display outside the National Museum of Wildlife Art through September. Photo: Ryan Dorgan / Jackson Hole News&Guide
It seems like every once in a while you run into someone who can do anything. When that person seems to do it with ease, it’s another thing entirely.
“I never tried to make a hit record,” said Herb Alpert, famous trumpeter and band leader.
Still, Alpert released nine No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. He has also sold 72 million records and picked up nine Grammys during his six-plus-decade career.
But he would probably balk at even being in relation to his awards. Sitting in front of a view of the Gros Ventre Range at the National Wildlife Museum of Art, he came across as humble, relaxed and genuine. He wasn’t there to talk about a career that saw him lead his band, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, to commercial success and fame in the ’50s and ’60s. He also wasn’t interested in talking about starting, running and selling A&M Records.
Alpert was there to talk about his art. He isn’t into the awards (“I don’t want to sound double humble, but I’m not into that,” he said.) or anything in that vein.
He’s just into doing “his thing,” which at this point in his life is a little bit of music and a little bit of visual art, including 6- to 12-or-so-foot bronze sculptures that he calls “spirit totems.”
Chicago, IL — The Field Museum has long been the place to see totems. Visitors will discover a new interpretation on this historical art form when they see eight of Herb Alpert’s seventeen foot high black, bronze totems on The Field’s south steps as well as an additional totem inside the Museum’s main hall.
Although widely known as a gifted musician, vocalist, and producer whose awards include the National Medal of Arts, few are aware that Herb Alpert is also an accomplished artist. On view at Heather James Fine Art New York from October 11 through November 10, Herb Alpert: A Visual Melody will present over a dozen of his abstract paintings along with a few large- and small-scale bronze sculptures as part of Alpert’s first solo exhibit in NY. An opening reception will be held at the New York gallery, 42 East 75th Street, on October 11, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
