For Stephen Glueckert, art has relieved some of the pressure of peculiar American behavior and modern-day social ills.
The Missoula artist’s work includes films, handmade games, drawings, interactive sculptures and collage. Pieces examine the American phenomenon of televangelism and the immoral side of finance that lies within Wall Street affluence. Others examine the content of country music songs and recreate events like the 1991 beating of taxi driver Rodney King.
A survey of Glueckert’s prolific career, from the 1970s to the present, is on exhibit through Oct. 21 at the University of Idaho’s Prichard Art Gallery in “Stephen Glueckert: All Mixed Up.”
Born in Montana, Glueckert was raised on a working farm and in an industrial laundry. These family occupations influenced his work, which is also shaped by folk, modern and intuitive traditions. He earned an art degree at University of Idaho. His focus often dwells in the emotional or humorous content of his subject matter. He is retired from a job as curator of the Missoula Art Museum and works full time as an artist.
