BEMIDJI — A master painter, a devoted artist, a teacher and a philosopher. These are just some of the words used to describe longtime Bemidji State art professor Marley Kaul in the foreword to his fourth and final book, which is set for release in September.
“Marley Kaul Paintings” features more than 300 full-color paintings hand-selected by Kaul and his family.
In early 2021 Kaul and his wife, Sandy, decided to do a comprehensive book of his work.
“It was a massive undertaking,” Sandy said. Marley was near the end of his career and wanted to look back on his lifetime of painting. He died later that year.
Pioneer file photo
“Marley Kaul Paintings” is a work of art in itself: a hardcover coffee table book divided into 10 chapters that each showcase Kaul’s development as an artist, beginning in 1961 and continuing until 2021.
There are also chapters that feature work centered around a particular theme, like landmarks, energy systems, meeting places, gardens and icons. The final chapter in the book, “The Unfinished Series,” painted in 2021, was his last series, a collection of works that showed his continuing discipline and drive to create.
“He was painting right up until the end,” said the Kauls’ daughter, Allison DeLeone.
“We wanted people to be able to virtually tour through this book as if it were a gigantic exhibit,” their son, Steve, noted. “I think Kathy Weflen, our editor, referred to it as his final exhibition. You know, just a tour of his whole career. When someone devotes their whole life to art, you have to do it justice somehow, and this is the way to do it. If dad were here, I think he would have completed the book similarly to how it turned out.”
The Talley Gallery in the lower level of BSU’s Bridgeman Hall will host the opening of the “Marley Kaul: Paintings 60 Year Retrospective Exhibition” from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4. Nearly 50 paintings representing works from six decades will be on display. The public is invited to attend.
Following Thursday’s event, three book release events are scheduled. The first official book release will be from 5 to 8 p.m. at Open Book in Minneapolis on Sept. 18. The second will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji. The last one will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sept. 25 at the North Dakota Museum of Art in Grand Forks.
Copies will be available at the book release events, but not at the Talley Gallery opening. For those unable to make it to one of the book launch events for an early copy, “Marley Kaul Paintings” may be purchased online from the distributor:
Books will begin shipping on Oct. 1.
More information can be found at
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