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William Ralph Caver (October 11, 1932- April 9, 2005) Artist
== William Ralph Caver was an American Painter, Sculptor, Ceramicist, Weaver and Print Maker who’s professional career spanned over six decades. Ralph, as he preferred to be called, was considered one of the most successful East Texas modern artists during his prolific career. == Early Life:

Born in Longview, Texas in 1932, Caver was raised in Atlanta, Texas. Caver lived, studied and worked in Dallas, Germany, France, Mexico and Spain before returning to Texas to settle in Texarkana. (add atlanta paper reference)

Spontaneity and freedom are a hallmark of Caver's art and his working methods. Color, texture and movement are hallmarks of Caver's work, which is especially evident in his paintings. Many of his pieces incorporate several mediums such as acrylic, watercolor, and metal and wood printing techniques. He painted on canvas, paper and wood. His metal sculptures were constructed by welding and shaping scrap iron into organic shapes. Caver's sculptures from the 1970s were influenced by the Brutalism. Caver executed his weavings on a professional floor loom with heavy wool yarn often incorporating repurposed textiles to create texture and build an image with the materials. Caver's ceramics embody the same movement and interest in natural elements as his other work, he worked with several glazing techniques including Raku, underglaze and Mishima.

Caver’s work was influenced by the Abstract Expressionism, Surrealism, Modernism and Brutalism movements. In various newspaper and art journal articles, Caver mentions Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, David Siqueiros, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe, Jackson Pollock, and Antoni Gaudí as influences on his own work during his career. (add texarkana gazette reference)

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. Caver's humour is evident in the names he chose for his pieces. One such example is a large ceramic piece that resembles a white dog is entitled "Swamp Poodle". Animals are often referred to as critters. "Something Ate All of Dallas", "Venus' Flytrap", "Don't Go In There" and "Pee Wee Peeing" are titles of paintings. (add texarkana gazette reference)

“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.”  Joe Thomas, Phd (add reference)

In 1962 Caver married Katy Lou Franklin of Dallas, Texas and the couple moved to Poitier, France where Caver began working with the US Department of Defence to set up art programs in twelve schools in France.

“Ralph Caver’s mythic theme and spontaneous technique harkens back to biomorphic abstract expressionism. His painting We Don’t Live Here Anymore brings us precariously close to experiencing a post-apocalyptical environment. The opulent colors glow as if created by sunlight through a broken stained glass. Ominous in content and radiant in rendering, Caver’s work is always thought provoking.”  David Bailin, Art Critic (add reference)

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:

Caver's work has been published in three art reference books:
 * 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
 * 1993 - Retired from teaching full time


 * 1971 Sculpture featured in Artists/USA, 1970-71: The Buyer's Guide to Contemporary Art. (Lightman, Paul, and Newman, Elias) (Introductions by)


 * 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

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.

Work shown pubic collections: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MOFA) (add reference), North Texas State Gallery, Institute Allende Gallery, Texarkana Regional Arts Council, Texarkana College, Texas A&M Universit y.

Commissioned works: Sculpture, Louisville Library. Sculpture, St. James Church, Painting, Teeple Hall, LLP, San Diego, CA., Painting, private collection, Barcelona, Spain.

From the mid 1950s until the early 2000s Caver showed his work in numerous exhibitions, both solo and collective in Texas and Mexico. His paintings, sculptures and ceramics received numerous Best in Show and First Place awards in both national and regional juried shows.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991. Caver had experimental brain surgery to help address the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease in 2000. Caver continued to work in several mediums until his death in 2005.

The Ralph Caver Collection currently holds over 250 pieces of original artwork including paintings, prints, sketches, sculptures, weavings and ceramics. Many of Caver's pieces are held in private collections.

Category:Artists Category:Modern Artist Category:Texan Artist Category:Ralph Caver Category:William Ralph Caver Surrealist Category:Abstract Expressionism Category:Brutalist Category:Abstract Category:Painter Category:Sculptor Category:Print Maker Category:Ceramicist Category:Weaver Category:Welder