Chroma | Contrast – Paintings & Prints by Harold Joe Waldrum: and New Works by Tom Dixon

Opening Reception: 5 - 7 PM | Saturday, September 19

Exhibition Dates: September 19 - November 8, 2026

Harold Joe Waldrum devoted decades to photographing and painting the adobe structures of northern New Mexico, paying meticulous attention to form, shadow, and contour. His bold layering of hand-mixed pigments and metallic paints gives his subjects distinctive depth and luminosity. 

Influenced by his daily-use of a Polaroid SX-70 camera, Waldrum was steadfast in honoring the square format of Polaroid film when translated to other media. Waldrum took over 9,000 photographs throughout his career, calling them "little jewels." 

A solitary soul, Waldrum found his place at Mountain Ranch among the spotted hills of the Sierra Ladrones, with his mules and cattle as compatriots. He ultimately founded Rio Bravo Fine Art gallery in Truth or Consequences. He passed away in 2003. 

The mesmerizing works on display at our fall exhibit showcase Waldrum's mastery of color and form. They reflect his ability to capture the brilliant solitude of northern New Mexico. 

Read more about Harold Joe in our Exhibition Catalogue.

In the South Gallery, new works by Tom Dixon are on view.

Living in New Mexico since 1978, Tom Dixon is perhaps best recognized for his layered oil and acrylic on masonite works that are scraped, splashed, and scratched, becoming multi-dimensional, graffiti-esque compositions.

His newest body of work showcases a more pared-down approach. Several works draw inspiration from water, and their simpler color combinations lend them a noticeably more flowing, rather than staccato, quality. These new works reveal a gentler side of Dixon’s oeuvre, while still retaining the explosive undertone that has long characterized his practice.