Phillips Gallery
HARRY TAYLOR
T-Rex
Harry Taylor
(1918-2002)
In spite of living with ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, Harry Taylor produced high quality artwork throughout his life. “I don’t want to be known as a disabled artist”, he said. “However, I want people to know that those with disabilities can do creative work, with help.”
“As my disability progressed, I had to find new ways to create my woodcuts. Such as carving with the grain, using a V-gouge to make horizontal lines, a Dremel drill to help me in my carving, and a Japanese electric carving tool. I also used one block to get multi-colored woodcuts. Without help from my friend, Joe Dixon, who did all my printing, I would have been lost. I would also like to thank my wife who put up with all my phobias.”
When he no longer had the strength to carve, Harry Taylor, turned to water color or acrylic painting and creating via the computer and did so right up to the end. About this transition he said “It’s a strange feeling after so many years as a printmaker that they don’t have to be printed but just sent to the framer.” “I don’t feel I fall into any school of art. I’ll leave that up to the critics. I feel at ease working both objective and nonobjective. I work for myself and not the public.”
Harry Taylor earned a Master of Fine Arts in 1948 from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago and was Art Director for Meridian Publishing Company in Ogden from 1952 to 1985. He has exhibited his artwork extensively in California and Utah and in several other states. His artwork has been purchased for many public and private collections.
Phillips Gallery
Harry Taylor
Harry Taylor (1918-2002)
In spite of living with ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, Harry produced high quality artwork throughout his life. “I don’t want to be known as a disabled artist”, he said. “However, I want people to know that those with disabilities can do creative work, with help.”
“As my disability progressed, I had to find new ways to create my woodcuts. Such as carving with the grain, using a V-gouge to make horizontal lines, a Dremel drill to help me in my carving, and a Japanese electric carving tool. I also used one block to get multi-colored woodcuts. Without help from my friend, Joe Dixon, who did all my printing, I would have been lost. I would also like to thank my wife who put up with all my phobias.”
When he no longer had the strength to carve, Harry Taylor, turned to water color or acrylic painting and creating via the computer and did so right up to the end. About this transition he said “It’s a strange feeling after so many years as a printmaker that they don’t have to be printed but just sent to the framer.” “I don’t feel I fall into any school of art. I’ll leave that up to the critics. I feel at ease working both objective and nonobjective. I work for myself and not the public.”
Harry Taylor earned a Master of Fine Arts in 1948 from The School of The Art Institute of Chicago and was Art Director for Meridian Publishing Company in Ogden from 1952 to 1985. He has exhibited his artwork extensively in California and Utah and in several other states. His artwork has been purchased for many public and private collections.