Once known as a low-life, a hack and a vagabond, chili artist Lumpy Rutherford is now being pegged as a visionary, a renaissance man and finally as an artist. In the early 1920’s, just as the “Anti-Art” Dada movement was striking a chord within the European and American art communities, Rutherford’s work was hailed as brilliant by many his peers. Marcel Duchamp once referred to Rutherford as “The most delicious version of Leonardo with a savvy of Francis Picabia.” Very high praise from the man who’s urinal art was rejected from the 1917 Society of Independent Artists show. While Mr. Rutherford’s work remained in obscurity for almost a century, the Pensachusetts Museum of Modern Art’s exhibition, “Yhili Töper - The Mind’s Stomach as Seen Though the Mind’s Eye” has catapulted the late artist into Picasso-esque status.
A vast majority of artists aren’t appreciated during their lifetime, Lumpy Rutherford was no exception. Playing an integral role in one of art’s most obscure movements didn’t help his cause either. Initially, Rutherford tried to conform to the traditional standards and practices of art. He painted with watercolors and sculpted with clay, largely without success. But after a chance meeting with Duchamp in 1919, Rutherford embraced his inner hunger and began using his leftovers as art. “He was a chili man, through and through.” said gallery coordinator Flip Smiley. “I don’t think he necessarily enjoyed it, but it was all he could afford.” added Smiley. Most of his earliest chili works were destroyed in 1920, when his home was invaded by horses. Soon after, he began his most proficient period as an artist. Dubbed “Chili Fingers” by his peers, Rutherford spent most of 1920-1922 hulled up in his 2 flat, tirelessly honing his skill. During that time, he produced nearly 400 paintings and sculptures. His most famous work to date, “Meat Yetti” has only been shown publicly 3 times since his death in 1959. Until now…
Gaggles of art fans have turned out to witness this first unveiling of Lumpy Rutherford’s largely unseen catalogue. “It’s bedlam around here. We’ve been booked for 3 weeks solid!” said Trudy Kitsmilller, manager of the Ramada Inn & Suites in downtown Pensachusetts. Even the museum didn’t plan for this turnout. “We ordered about 5 cases of Fritos and restocked our TAB soda machine, like always, in preparation for a normal sized show. But we never expected people to fall in love with this post modern genius.” Smiley told Chili Chat. In addition to the rabid flocks of art fans pouring through the museum’s doors on a daily basis, many wealthy art collectors have also made their presence known. Local philanthropist, Kirks Nestlerod, reportedly paid $460,000 for Rutherford’s 1922 painting “Chil-leave me alone”.
Art is certainly in the eye of the beholder and this beholder’s eyes see genius, intuition, craft and hunger. It’s a shame that Mr. Rutherford never received the praise he deserved. It only took 90 some odd years for the world to finally celebrate his unique vision. “Yhili Töper - The Mind’s Stomach as Seen Though the Mind’s Eye” will be on display through July at the Pensachusetts Museum of Modern Art. However, the museum will be closed the month of August for a deep cleaning of the walls and floor.
Tickets for “Yhili Töper - The Mind’s Stomach as Seen Though the Mind’s Eye” are now on sale exclusively at www.chili-chat.com.
Cheers.
I have a print of meat yetti in my den
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