Kindred Natures: Aldo Casanova and James Fuller

This exhibition reintroduces two highly respected and revered local artists, Aldo Casanova and James Fuller. For over 30 years, each artist influenced generations of students while teaching at Scripps College, as well as maintaining active careers as exhibiting artists throughout the country. Sharing an affinity for the beauty of nature, this exhibition will highlight the kindred links between the sculptures of Aldo Casanova and the paintings of James Fuller.

Organized by Steve Comba in collaboration with Casanova and Fuller family members, the exhibition is generously sponsored by Jill Fulton, Joe and Georgette Unis, and Fritz and Mary Weis.

Aldo Casanova

Aldo Casanova was born in San Francisco in 1929, the son of Italian immigrant parents. He received both BA and MA degrees from San Francisco State University, and the PhD from Ohio State University. While still completing his doctorate, Aldo was awarded the prestigious Prix de Rome, becoming artist in residence at the American Academy for eight full years. The experience remained a point of pride for him.

In 1992, Aldo was elected to the National Academy of Design, and in 1994, designated a fellow of the National Sculpture Society. His work can be found in numerous collections including the Franklin Murphy Sculpture Garden, UCLA; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, The National Academy of Design; and Scripps College.

Inspired by nature, Aldo was acutely aware of its splendor and equally of our obligation to protect it. “I comment on the condition of the planet, political and environmentally, though my work,” he once said. His oeuvre includes both naturalistic portrayals, of animals for example, and abstract organic forms that evoke the generative power of the earth. He also cited Picasso as a source, motivated particularly by the renowned artist’s intent to be “inquisitive, inventive, and productive to no end.”

Aldo was a model of the dedicated artist teacher—one committed equally to his students and his own work. Over the years, he taught at Antioch University, San Francisco State, Temple, SUNY Albany, the renowned Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, and, from 1966-1999, Scripps College. To students he communicated his passion for sculpture, once commenting that, “The most wonderful medium in the world is the young person.”

Aldo passed away on September 10, 2014

James (Jim) Fuller

Born in Pierre, South Dakota in 1927, Jim Fuller exemplifies a generation of artists who, in the years following World War II, looked west for inspiration and education. He found California and ultimately Claremont, maturing here as an artist, educator, and enthusiastic advocate for the arts of this community.

He earned his A.A. degree at Chaffey College in 1949, and continued at U.C. Berkeley, where he earned both the B.A. and M.F.A. An accomplished printmaker, sculptor, and painter, he accepted a position at Cal State Los Angeles in 1955, teaching there until 1967.

In 1967, Jim joined the faculty at Scripps College where he would serve for nearly 30 years, retiring in 1996. His wise, always gentle, guidance would influence generations of artists, not only at Scripps and the other undergraduate Claremont colleges, but also at Claremont Graduate University. A devoted teacher, Jim also maintained an active career as an exhibiting artist, with numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the country to his credit. His works are to be found in prominent private and public collections such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; the Pasadena Art Museum (Norton Simon); Cal State Chico; U.C. Davis; Scripps College; and the City of Claremont.

Awards and honors span his career, from a Junior Art Council award from LACMA in 1957, to a six-month residency in Brittany under the auspices of the Albert and Elaine Borchard Foundation in 1993. In 2008, Jim was honored by the Claremont Museum of Art for his many contributions to the arts in Claremont and, specifically, to the founding of the museum.

Jim passed away on November 28, 2017.