As of Oct. 12, both Park and Wilbur Halls have been redecorated with an art exhibit from Ron Throop, a 1990 Oswego State graduate. 

He originally asked for the exhibit to be in the Mackin Complex, where previous artists showcased their work in the 1950s and 1960s.

Throop graduated with a B.A. in history, although he originally came to Oswego State as a business administration major.

“I did not want to pursue a degree in business. I couldn’t even balance my checkbook,” Throop said.

In the spring of his sophomore year, Throop took a course on the Enlightenment, which really peaked his interest in history. He cited “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac as his introduction and “gateway” to his artistic life. 

This exhibition is inspired by the works of Roy Lichtenstein, a well-known pop artist. Although Throop has no personal relationship to Lichtenstein, he said he felt a connection to the former Oswego State professor. Throop read an article about Lichtenstein’s time in Oswego, and noted parallels between their lives. 

Lichtenstein’s pop art style was what brought him to fame. Despite an entire exhibit being done in this style, it is not Throop’s typical art style. He tends to paint with acrylics, while he used oil in order to replicate Lichtenstein’s style, which was a huge change for him.

“It began as if I was expected to paint a drunken zebra with my fingers and a bowl of macaroni and cheese. Oil painting is no comparison to acrylic. And for the novice, it can be a never-ending nightmare,” Throop said.

 He also sketched out designs for the first time before painting in order to better follow Lichtenstein’s process, which was a huge shift from his usual work process. He tried to make these pieces as close to Lichtenstein’s style as possible.

“For this body I mirrored mostly Lichtenstein’s choices—the closer to the bone, the better. For instance, if Roy painted on canvas, I would seek mid-twentieth century linens, canvas, sheets, etc. and stretch them as Lichtenstein would have. For instance, there is a ‘Vona’s’ painting from an ad taken right out of The Oswegonian from October, 1957. I stretched that on a 1950s restaurant tablecloth I bought on eBay,” Throop said.  “I added a walk up Sheldon Ave and the Old Main [Sheldon Hall] to give it an Oswego story. Other paintings I’ve made in my own style, focusing on the new medium.”

Throop began painting this collection on Feb. 1, 2019, and finished in August. This is not his first time having art displayed at Oswego State. Some of his work was displayed at the Penfield Gallery, as part of a group exhibition. Throop sees importance in creating and displaying art close to home.

“I believe if art is to do any good in the world, then it must remain local as often as possible,” Throop said.

Besides this exhibit, Throop has spent his time post-graduation writing and publishing 17 books, having a solo art exhibit in Hamilton, New York, and preparing a pop-up gallery for both paintings and sculptures by Tyler Hall Art Gallery Director Michael Flanagan.

As for his most recent exhibit, one of Throop’s favorite pieces is “Oswego Used an Indian Summer to Bait and Switch on Roy Lichtenstein,” which depicts a woman in a bathing suit, taken from Lichtenstein’s 1962 painting “Aloha,” beside Lichtenstein walking on Sheldon Avenue. 

“This was a personal triumph in the realm of painting oils onto a car mechanic’s dropcloth, which is a material more stubborn, unforgiving and set in its ways than any car mechanic I ever met,” Throop said.

The other is a painting entitled “In 1995 Roy Lichtenstein Was in Southhampton Signing Paper to Add to His Enormous Fortune. I was in a Tree Asking My Future Wife For a First Date,” which Throop called “pregnant with meaning” in reference to his life as a “husband, father and sensitive human being.”

All proceeds from pieces of art purchased as well as books and GoFundMe donations are going toward an Oswego High School graduate on the path to study art, art education or art history at Oswego State.

“I owe Oswego State a deep debt of gratitude. All meaningful change began here,” Throop said. “I would never have painted a picture and written a book, learned how to love if it were not for my experiences at this wonderful college. So, I thought this exhibition should help someone else gain the opportunities I had.”

Photo provided by Ron Throop