Magic Touch Taps Viewer Imagination

Many people have used the word “whimsical” to describe the sculpture of Albuquerque’s Ed Haddaway. That may be an appropriate adjective but, for me, a better way of looking at Haddaway’s work is to think of it as magical. In his current show of recent small works at Richard Levy Gallery, 514 Central SW, that quality is evident: Haddaway’s vision is pure magic.

            I’m not talking about the David Copperfield over-the-top variety of illusion, or the hand-is-quicker-than-the-eye sort. Nope, Haddaway’s particular magic lies in his ability to create powerful and spellbinding works that transcend their materials and activate viewer’s imaginations. His building blocks are paint and steel, but he uses those base elements to a synergistic effect, feeding the mid and eyes with possibilities and associations in his signature style.

            This body of work is greatly scaled down __ the largest is just 40 inches tall – from Haddaway’s large, outdoor pieces. But, just like a well-told tale, he packs a lot of thrills and meaning in these smaller works.

            The best of these (which is hard to say, as I enjoyed all of them) is “Fade Away Tree: A lollipop House.” In this sculpture, Haddaway strikes a balance of his exploration of light and dark themes. A candy-colored form seems to be engaged in conversation with a house. The “conversation” between these too can be felt by the expression of the gape-mouthed house.