Malcolm Bucknall: My Make Believe . January 10-February 1, 2026
Opening reception on Saturday, January 10 from 5 to 7pm
Born in Twickenham, England in 1935, Bucknall's early interest in art led him at the age of eighteen to India and Santiniketan, the Ashram of Rabindranath Tagore, then to Chelsea Art School, London, the University of Texas (BFA), and the University of Washington (MFA). Upon this rolling stone foundation, Bucknall’s absurdist Surrealism muddles Old Masters with tid-bits of cartoons, films, home photography and many other fascinations to create his anthropomorphic creatures. Bucknall feels that our observation of animals, as with art, is from the outside. In them we see predator devour prey, lovers join with unembarrassed abandon; we see birth, nurturing, the feathering of nests, death—all at a remove from ourselves yet mirroring our own deepest libidinous instincts, hopes and fears. Human-animal imagery has been a constant in art, folklore, religion, daydreams, and masquerade. It takes us quickly and easily to what is deep and difficult in ourselves. Bucknall aims directly at this sweet spot, a concoction of visual imagery that sums up common experience—love, fear, gawkiness, triumphalism, self-recognition. In this he reawakens a childlike sense of surprise and discovery, and put simply, calls us to wonder.
Established in 1980 and located in a 120 year old historic house, the Wally Workman Gallery specializes in emerging and collected talent. Known for encouraging their artists' professional and creative growth, the gallery has advanced local artists onto the national stage for decades. It is the combination of these long-standing relationships and the potential of new partnerships that make the gallery's program dynamic and accessible. The gallery has two stories of exhibition space where one can view the 50+ artists currently represented, including the contemporary talents of Sarah Ferguson, Joyce Howell and Will Klemm as well as the figurative work of Patrick Puckett and America Martin.
Parking is available in the lot behind the gallery, accessed from the alley off Blanco and Harthan Streets. There you will find two dedicated spots as well as other parking options. Unrestricted street parking is available on Blanco St. and parking is allowed after 7pm on Harthan St.