Ralph Caver (1932-2005) was an American Painter, Sculptor, Ceramicist, Weaver and Print Maker who’s professional career spanned over six decades. Caver’s work was influenced by the Abstract Expressionism, Surrealism and Modernism movements. Born in East Texas in 1932, Caver lived, studied and worked in Dallas, Texas, Poitiers and Paris, France, San Miguel de Allende and Mexico City, Mexico and Barcelona, Spain before returning to Texas.
Known as a patient professor with a legendary sense of humor and a supreme rancantour, Caver’s colourful sense of whimsy and affinity for all things bizarre are evident in his body of work.
Education:
1955 Bachelor of Science degree in Art and Art Education from University of North Texas, Denton, Texas
1967 Masters in Fine Art degree from University Guanajuanto, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
1968 University of Mexico, Mexico City, post graduate coursework
1971 University of Barcelona, post graduate coursework, Barcelona, Spain
Professional Life:
1955 Teaches art for the Dallas Independent School District, Dallas, Texas
1956-1958 Drafted into the United States Army and spends one tour of duty in Germany.
1962 -1964 Art Coordinator for twelve schools, Poitiers, France for the US Department of Defence.
1967 - Texarkana College, Director of Art Department
Caver served as the Director of the Art Department at Texarkana College and Professor of Art at Texas A&M University, Texarkana, Texas from 1967 until his retirement in 1993.
Publications:
1971 Sculpture featured in Artists/USA, 1970-71: The Buyer's Guide to Contemporary Art.
1999 Who Was Who in American Art : 1564-1975 (Hastings Falk, Peter) September 1, 1999
2017 Texas Artists and Artisans 1718-1959 Vol. 1:A-G (Vic Roper) October 28, 2017
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991, Caver continued to work in several mediums until his death in 2005. The Ralph Caver collection has been in storage since his death and is now located in Barcelona, Spain.
Artists Statement:
Please note that the following statements are from newspaper articles and art critiques:
"Art is out of control- Thank God", "I'm trying to capture movement, to make things move out of the paintings", "My work is an expression of a rhythm, a feeling or a mood.”, "I like to create my own world in my work.”, "Abstract art is my therapy, I paint what I feel". - Ralph Caver
Spontaneity and freedom are a hallmark of Caver's art and his working methods. Color, texture and movement are used powerfully to impart an emotion or feeling in Caver's work, which is especially evident in his paintings. Many of his pieces incorporate several mediums such as acrylic and ink. He painted on canvas, paper and wood.
“The organic, other worldly quality of his images of abstracted animal and vegetable forms relate to the dreamlike work of Surrealism. On the other hand, certain flat, abstract paintings with their thick textures and gestural brushwork recall the work of the Abstract Expressionists of the 1950s. Paintings of the early seventies are reminiscent of the late works of Picasso in their visual fragmentation of the subjects. In many cases all these influences mix and mingle, but the final product is always a distinctive vibrancy, raw energy and sense of humour that mark it as a work of Ralph Caver.”
