The Purple Moon to show artist’s 1968 psychedelic mural.
Make Love, Not War – Hank Keeling – 1968
In the summer of 1967, while teaching at Marshall University, artist Hank Keeling began work on a three piece mural to chronicle the tumultuous times. Originally planned for use on Marshall’s campus the work was deemed by University officials as too controversial upon completion and was not used.
After decades of being stored away, and through special arrangement with Mr. Keeling, The Purple Moon will be displaying the three-canvas mural beginning September 18th with an opening from 5 to 8 p.m.
Measuring a monumental 5 feet by 12 feet the artwork captures the mood of the times through depictions of drugs, war and free love. In what was a significant departure by Keeling from his primarily abstract impressionist work this oil and collage mural demonstrates his adeptness in the psychedelic style in a manner rarely seen outside of the West Coast at the time.
The opening coincides wit the monthly Downtown Charleston ArtWalk.
