Pieces Of His Past

A University of Arkansas at Fort Smith professor is currently displaying his life's work in an exhibition in Fort Smith.

The exhibition of work by Charles K. Steiner is on view through Oct. 27 at the Blue Lion at UAFS Downtown. Steiner teaches two-dimensional design and a senior capstone course at the college. Steiner says his exhibit consists of 13 large-scale paintings from different points in his life, including paintings from his undergraduate days to present day work.

"I sort of proceeded through different stages of my life, with the exception of the period that was dedicated to glitter," he says.

Steiner, 63, says he is a colorist and expressionist, and all of his works feature exposed brushstrokes. The pieces, which span 30 years, alternate between abstract and representational. He says it has been very reflective and interesting to look back on his work. The subject matter ranges from landscapes to self-portraits to aesthetic plate painting, he adds.

Steiner says he has lived in Northwest Arkansas for two years. He has shown work across the country and currently has art on display at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock and the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, as well as being included in public collections in Minneapolis and New York City, according to a UAFS press release.

Steiner says he organized this show for his students to give them "sort of a long picture of what their future is" if they continue to create art. He wants students to realize that the subject matter of their artwork will change as they get older. He adds that art history is an invaluable resource, and people can still paint or sculpt and produce a respectable body of work even when they have to support themselves with another job.

-- Ashley Batchelor

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