Clyde Butcher - Visions of Dali's Spain
/There we were, the three of us; Clyde, our daughter, Jackie, and me (Niki), watching Clyde set up his camera while the Tramuntana wind was howling around us. We were laughing at the strength of the wind and marveling at the storm clouds rushing through the sky above us. We were in Spain visiting the home environment of Salvador Dali, and we all felt like we were dreaming.
Many people know that photographers Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Wynn Bullock have influenced Clyde, but very few know that Salvador Dali was also a major influence in his photography. Clyde has admired the unique flavor of Dali’s work for a long time. His ability to be true to his own way of expressing his view of the world has always been an inspiration for Clyde.
One of the first museums Clyde and I visited after moving to Florida was The Dali Museum when it first opened in 1982 in St. Petersburg, Florida at an old rehabilitated marine warehouse. Today, The Dali Museum is located on the waterfront of St. Petersburg in an amazing architectural design that reflects the creative expression of Dali.
When Peter Tush, Curator of Education, at The Dali Museum, approached Clyde with the idea of traveling to the areas of Spain where Dali painted many of his images, Clyde was more than excited and willing to join in the project. Needless to say, so were Jackie and I! The project was to conclude with an exhibit of Clyde’s images of Dali’s Spain with knowledge that seeing the environment of where Dali received his inspiration would help visitors to the museum to see Dali’s work with new appreciation.
Peter Tush, Curator of Education, Jackie Butcher-Obendorf, Clyde Butcher, Niki Butcher
“We’re dedicated to sharing the art, life and world of Dali with our community. This exhibit allows us to do just that in an immersive, yet intimate way.” — Peter Tush, Curator of Education