NAHANT — Two years after world-renowned artist Norman Laliberté died in his Nahant home at the age of 95, the Nahant Cultural Council (NCC) is planning a three-month exhibit of his life’s work.
Laliberté, known for painting the intricate and brightly-colored banners that hung at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York and at Logan Airport, will be honored at the top floor of the former Valley Road School building from Aug. 4 until October.
The exhibit will feature over 40 samples of Laliberté’s work, including his painted totem sculptures and banners, along with a display of quotes and written letters with uniquely decorated envelopes.
The exhibit will also include Nahant photographer Anne Spirn’s photo book containing images of Laliberté painting over the course of his career.
“We’re going to have the book that people can thumb through, but we’re also going to have the photos on the wall,” said NCC member Ken Turino. “She documented the artist’s whole process, and then next to that, we’re going to have the actual finished painting — it’s all about his creative process.”
Laliberté’s abstract expressionist style drew from Catholic themes, as well as ancient Aztec, Greek, and Egyptian styles the artist picked up during his travels. During his career, he taught at the Kansas City Art Institute, Boston College, Notre Dame, and the Rhode Island School of Design, and published a number of how-to art books.
NCC Secretary Vi Patek said Laliberté’s charm and warm personality were almost as awe-inspiring as his artwork. She said she once ran into him while she was talking with a young couple outside her house.
“Norman said, ‘Well, why don’t you come to my house?’ He invited this couple that were just walking down the road into the kitchen, poured some wine, and we all sat down. We had like this little impromptu party,” Patek said. “He would just invite people in. He was one of these open, warm people who just included others into his warmth. He wasn’t just an artist, he was a very special person.”
Turino said one of the main goals of the exhibit is to spread awareness in Nahant of the artist’s life and career.
“He just died a few years ago and he’s missed. There were people in town who felt he was really important, and there’s still a lot of people in Nahant who don’t know who he is,” Turino said. “This would be an opportunity to share his work with the town that he really loved. This is an opportunity to honor him, but to also introduce him to the people who don’t know him.”
The Nahant Historical Society will host the exhibit with a $5,500 grant from NCC.
