Better than ever ’46 Years Later’

“Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young.”

-Sir Paul McCartney

Sculptor Ton Hatton and painter Steve Gibson know better than to argue with a former Beatle. They embody the mantra “you aren’t getting older, you’re getting better.” They have 46 years of proof.

In 1972 Bob Matheny, SWC’s founding gallery director, selected recent SDSU graduates Gibson and Hatton for a pair of one-man shows. Gibson said it was one of the first exhibits of their art works.

In 2018 Gibson sought to revisit the genesis with a two-man show, “46 Years Later.”

“It was just the idea to show that you can still be a productive artist over time,” he said. “Age doesn’t have anything to do with that as long as you are creative. I thought it was interesting, just a position of ideas and media, and students can probably gain something from seeing it.”

Recent paintings by Gibson such as “Surfing Scotland,” “Leaving Cairns,” “Leaving Glasgow” and “Zion Trek” radiate with chaotic patterns making extraordinary shapes filled with bright colors.

His 2015 pieces “Pirate,” “Bridge” and “Fiji Light” shine with vivid colors and strange shapes.

In most of his paintings, Gibson does not intend to represent a specific and comprehensive idea, he said, but an expression of his inner world and unique perception. They combine recognizable images and shapes in abstract ways that create a curious sense of interconnectedness.

Gibson has been included in more than 90 juried, invitational and solo exhibitions worldwide. His works is included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Art Institute of Chicago, William Patterson University and the City of Los Angeles.

Tom Hatton grew up in San Diego and attended SDSU, where he earned his MA in sculpture. He taught art classes part-time at SDSU and local community colleges.

Unlike Gibson, Hatton likes to project specific themes and ideas. His witty and playful approach to the ideas manifest in his works.

A series of small porcelain figures called “T.O.M.” presented androgynous fairytale beings that are as charming as they are ugly. Hatton subtitled this series as “Journeys,” for each figure resembles a medieval traveler, going through life soaking up different experiences. Although the figures are mostly long-nosed, jowly beings clad in garish clothing, each individual or pair represents joy, happiness, sadness or mindfulness on their little faces. One pair of figures gleefully rides a fish fitted with wheels.

Other pieces include a set of large sculptures of fired clay that depict pointy-eared beings that would fit in among garden gnomes, faeries and other fair folk.

His porcelain tea ware was impressive, elevated by detailed and meticulous work. Small figures made in shapes of famous art icons including “Diego and Frida,” “John the Baptist,” “American Gothic” and others depicted well-known artists or historical figures in a way that was funny and irreverent.

Showcased were Hatton’s latest works, including the 2017 series “What’s Smokin’ Man?” which are large colored sculptures representing prominent political figures.

Gibson and Hatton are still going like 60 at 70. It seem like 46 is their lucky number.