Charles F. Wickler
Charles Wickler is retired from Hamilton School District in Sussex, where he spent a career as an elementary art teacher. He holds a Master’s Degree of Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Classical theories of design underlie compositional decisions in my work. By combining animal images with the exalted world of “fine art,” a tension is automatically established. The ordered world of fine art interacts with the free spirit of the living movements and patterns of the natural world. The works in this series are done mainly in pastels. The works are done as collages where the animals, art work and gallery are drawn separately then assembled to create the “galleryscape.”
This particular drawing, Paying Homage, includes a work by Keith Haring, an artist who I greatly admire. Keith Haring started as a graffiti artist in the subways of New York City and rose to international fame as a pop artist who addressed social issues of his time.
Paying Homage was generously donated by the artist and added to the Library’s collection in 2025. The piece is located outside of the Carnegie Room near the periodicals.