RICK BEGNEAUD

The works of Rick Begneaud are born of place and experience. The impetus for his exotic, collaged inventions began in the heart of Cajun country where he was raised, and then later on in his travels as the nephew / studio assistant / sidekick to the legendary Robert Rauschenberg. Frayed and bold fabrics seem perfectly right next to photographic reproductions and other ephemera, but most indicative of his “paintings” are the reverberating color and the sense of formal composition turned on its head, leaps of faith that give the work their unique signature.

Begneaud works out of his studio in Sausalito, California, the quaint Bay Area enclave that has long been a creative hub for artists of all kinds. Still an avid traveler, Begneaud seeks out gorgeous fabrics, walls, trees, heat, beautiful people, amazing landscape and language in West and North Africa and beyond.

“Rick Begneaud has an eye that cannot be ignored. I am proud to witness his talents. The sense of color and composition are proof of unique experiences and exposures. He obviously possesses some of the old man’s genes.” (quote by Robert Rauschenberg)

CURRICULUM VITAE

Selected Exhibitions

2010
“Threads + Stones”, Schomburg Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, CA

2010
“Big Paper Winter”, Woodward Gallery, New York, NY

2009
“Signs of Life”, Woodward Gallery, New York, NY

2008
“New Visions”, Juried Exhibition, ProArts Gallery, Oakland, CA
Selected by Karen Tsujimoto, Senior Curator of the Oakland Museum and Lucinda Barnes, Chief Curator of the Berkeley Museum

2008
“SLIDESLAM”, di Rosa Preserve, Napa, CA

2008
Introduction, Westbrook Galleries, Carmel, CA

2008
“Allons á Lafayette”, Kirsha Kaechele Projects, New Orleans, LA

2008
Festival International de Louisiana, Gallery 549, Lafayette, LA

2008
Introduction, Woodward Gallery, New York, NY

2007
“Art for all Seasons”, SomArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, CA

2007
Charity Art Auction, Deborah & Carlos Santana’s Milagro Foundation, Corte Madera, CA

2007
Festival International de Louisiana, Gallery 549, Lafayette, LA


Selected Collectors
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
Bobby Weir, Musician
Darryl Pottorf, Artist
Jimmy Macdonell, Musician
Dr. Allen Appley, Neurosurgeon
Chuck Rush, Attorney
Ged Robertsen, Restauranteur
Rob Matthews, Architect


Bibliography

Chelsea Clinton News, “Paper Products ‘This thorough and wide-ranging show of works is a museum-quality exhibit’ ” by Joe Bendik, New York, Volume 71 Issue 5, January 2010

The Villager, “Four separate shows, showing below Houston ‘The discovery of many rare treasures await’ ” by Stephanie Buhmann, New York, NY, Volume 79 No 4, July 2009

Fast Forward, “Rick Begneaud: Texture + Color... A Unique Collage”, October 2008

The Independent Weekly, “When I Paint My Masterpiece” by Mary Tutwiler, May 2007