On 8/28/2010 I saw Close’s retrospective show at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Chuck Close is one of those big-time, world-regarded artists whose work is always engaging to everyone regardless of education, experience, or intellect. (And that statement is one of those rare accurate hyperboles.)

I know it’s in poor form to say anything less than superlative about Chuck Close, but the one “problem” I’ve always had with his work is that - for me anyway – I get more caught up in his method rather than his meaning.

I absolutely love seeing his work, but I always come away from it marveling at how it is created rather than at what it has to say. But the HOW is a stunningly engaging HOW and is well worth it for any of us. (And if you’re reading this and don’t know Close’s work, you just have to go see this stuff!)

Bravo to the new VMFA for continuing to dazzle all of us on so many levels.