Mary Alice Pierce
Contributing Writer
Until October 31, the University Art Gallery is presenting The Essence of Their Ticking, which celebrates the works of former community members and dynamic artist duo Jack Hastings (1925-2013) and Arlyn Ende (1932-2022). Hastings and Ende worked and lived together for many decades in many places but settled in Sewanee, where their legacy remains in the university’s exhibition
Jack Hastings and Aryln Ende were known for their unique blend of styles and materials. Though the artists worked together for many years, they each presented unique styles. Hasting’s displays show his ability to master multiple different mediums. He specialized in geometric portraiture, crafting face totems and busts using stone, metal hardware, wood, and paint, with a notable 1974 display of concrete garden sculptures at Cheekwood. His work, influenced by Meso-American cultures, embodies a simple yet striking aesthetic.
In contrast, Ende worked with mixed media and textiles, creating various rugs and wall textiles, modeling dresses, and designing looms. She was an artist and entrepreneur as she started her own clothing company and was a curator of many different galleries and artistic spaces, including the University Art Gallery, where she served as director.
Both artists created both small-scale art pieces and large-scale installations to brighten and beautify a space. Hastings and Ende’s works are striking to look at side by side. There is a tangible push and pull between the works as they are similar yet exceedingly different. Each body of work features bright colors, multiple variations of media, and striking shapes. Hastings’ geometric precision and Ende’s freeform work, when put together, create a rich and diverse body of art.
This exhibition highlights the pair’s artistry and serves as a heartfelt tribute to their legacy within the community. Robin Gotlfried, a longtime friend of Hastings, attended the exhibition and shared cherished memories of their time together. He recalled their shared love for Mexico and their joy in playing the banjo and fiddle together, celebrating the vibrant spirit that Hastings brought to art and friendship. The exhibition is a beautiful reminder of how deeply Ende and Hastings impacted those around them, their tremendous achievements, and their deep care for their community. One can see installations of the artists’ work both on campus and in the surrounding communities, including Hastings’ painted steel sculptures at Stirling’s Coffee House and pieces of Ende’s at Babson Center for Global Commerce.
This exhibition runs in the University Art Gallery through October 31. The University Art Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm Tuesdays through Fridays and noon until 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The exhibition is free and open to the public.