FRYEBURG — Fryeburg Academy’s Goldberg Gallery presents “Jules Verne’s Nautilus, Variations on a Theme,” a collection of paintings and sculpture by artist Josef Keller. The exhibit of paintings, two-dimensional and three-dimensional art will run from February through April. An artist reception will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 3.

Keller’s work is inspired by science fiction, steampunk, and mixed metals: “I have been a fan of Jules Verne, especially the Nautilus from the Disney movie, “20,000 Leagues Under The Sea,” ever since I first saw it in 1955,” says Keller. “I’ve re-read the novel numerous times and collected assorted books and photos. I tried, unsuccessfully, to build a model of the Nautilus while I was in high school, and later as an adult. I finally made one in 2009 from a thin, plywood frame, balsa wood skin, and hundreds of straight pins for rivets. I have since constructed 10 different versions of this submarine using the balsa wood technique and repurposed objects that fit.”

From Brownfield, Maine, Keller has more than 30 years of experience creating dynamic and bold two- and three-dimensional art. He paints in a detailed realistic style, experiments with visual abstraction, and is equally comfortable painting with an airbrush on paper and canvas as he is on motorcycles and cars. To learn more about the artist, visit www.southwindairbrush.com.

The Goldberg Gallery is open to the public and the hours are Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Saturdays.

Copy the Story Link