When we moved to Tucson three years ago, one of the first people we met and established a friendship was visual artist, Malcolm Alexander. Recently, for reasons of health, the 89-year-old Malcolm moved back to Santa Fe, where he can be closer to family and friends.
Malcolm is very missed — sights of the lumbering (6′ 5″) big man walking around the Circle; conversations at the pool; knocks at our door seeking help in finding his cell phone and his general question, “What’s the latest malicious gossip?” There were the times we went to lunch, and he would ask me questions about my philosophy of life, or the knocks at the door, just wanting to talk, which for Malcolm meant listening and observing — when it comes to people and politics, Malcolm’s more into asking questions than telling you what he thinks unless it has to do with living compositions.
“To this day, I admit, I’m always arranging and rearranging living compositions in my mind: Always. It can be a bit disconcerting at a dinner party when I’m staring at a beautiful woman attentively, and she feels flattered until I say, ‘Could you move three inches to the right and remove that goblet from the frame?’ Or to my hostess, ‘You know that painting behind you needs to be hung two inches lower to compliment you, and the height of the candlesticks is wrong for it.’ “
Malcolm Alexander — Images by kenne
“I distinguish between ‘living’ and ‘life.’ Living is an encounter. Life can be a lifeless existence in many cases. My art has been the conduit linking me to people, people from all walks of life. I have traveled from boardrooms to blue-collar environments, always looking, listening, and learning that each of us has a story to tell. In articles, I have been referred to as the ‘Studs Turkel’ of the art world.”
— Malcolm Alexander
“. . . most people instinctively choose the security of harmony. An artist will choose chaos so that one can bring new order and harmony to it.”
— Malcolm Alexander
Images from our “farewell” dinner for Malcolm.
On August 28th, a few friends of Malcolm had dinner at our house, the least we could do to show our friendship and love for Malcolm. As with his work, we hope Malcolm “. . . keeps moving toward a distant, unknown destination seemingly always just beyond his horizon.”
Diane, Malcolm, Steve, and Marsha — Playing Bocce Ball On The Circle, March 2012
“My experiences in nature taught me that we are all One. There are peace and unity in Nature. When we destroy Nature, we destroy the soul.”
— Malcolm Alexander
In the brief time, I have known Malcolm, I have learned about the man, an artist with a restless mind, yet comfortable in stillness while desiring a lot of social stimulation. In his memoir, To Reason Why, you can see the influence of his lifelong association with Native Americans —
“For from being a brained-numbed soldier,
our artist is actually our child within,
our inner playmate.
As with all playmates, it is joy, not duty
that makes for a lasting bond.”
— Malcolm Alexander
Yes, my friend — “It does not require many words to speak the truth.” (Chief Joseph Nez Perce) You are a man who excels in what you do with quiet confidence.
May our paths cross again soon.
kenne
“There are moments in our lives, there are moments in a day when we seem to see beyond the usual. Such are the moments of our greatest happiness. Such are the moments of our greatest wisdom. If one could but recall his vision by some sort of sign. It was in this hope that the arts were invented. Sign-posts on the way to what may be. Sign-posts toward greater knowledge.”
— Robert Henri
This is my third posting on our former neighbor:
http://kenneturner.com/2011/02/01/malcolm-alexander-nobody-ever-asked-me-how-i-felt/
http://tanuri.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/sculptor-malcolm-alexander-pens-his-memoir/
You can see images of Malcolm’s work at the Ventana Fine Art Gallery website.
http://ventanafineart.com/malcolm-alexander
Reblogged this on tanuri.
The Circle will not be the same without Malcolm. We’ll miss him dearly.
Yes, we will for sure.
You are so lucky to have Malcolm for a friend. He knows the true meaning of living.
Yes, his life is very interesting.
Malcolm- it’s been years.. Hopefully life has been kind. You left us with some great memories here in Grass Valley, Ca. We had a great time with you at Jimmy Stewarts unveiling of his statue in Santa Barbara.. Health has taken its toll here, but doing better than the alternative. Remember us or not, we’ll never forget you. God Bless you my friend…
I will see that Malcolm sees this. I only known him for a little over three years — a very special person. kenne
I will miss him…lots of fond and funny memories!
Pingback: Sign-posts On The Way To What May Be | Becoming is Superior to Being