Somewhere Still | Tom Maakestad

Raised in rural Northfield, Minnesota in a family of artists among a community of farmers, Maakestad has always used his knowledge and appreciation of the land as a source of inspiration for his work. While celebrating the unique beauty of rural Minnesota, the artist strives to reconcile scenes from his idyllic farm upbringing with the mass production farming more present today.

Maakestad’s Midwestern landscapes are a tender tribute to the patchwork of farms, roads, and wildernesses that spans Minnesota. There is evidence of human life in these landscapes, though only as minor actors against the commanding drama of weather-charged skies and vast, rolling farmland. Growing up on a farm, Maakestad has spent a lifetime watching the complex relationship between farmer and land. He writes,

From an aesthetic point of view, I appreciate the vast stretches of agricultural landscape with undulating patterns and light. However, I also understand that our industrial farm complex has created unintended environmental consequences.

Amidst the tension, complexity, and concerns surrounding modern farming, Maakestad is able to pause and find the beauty which lingers in the land, the sky, and the ever-shifting light.

The artist will be present at the opening reception Saturday, October 19 from 2-5pm. The exhibition runs concurrently with Small Glimpses by Jean Gumpper. Both exhibitions continue through November 30, 2024.

Gallery Hours:
Tuesdays - Saturdays 12 to 5.
Private appointments are available.