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Local artists world of imagination on display at Northport Public Library

By Rita J. Egan
January 08, 2015

Artist David Jackier has expressed his colorful imagination through art for decades. Now until the end of
the month, visitors to the Northport Public Library can discover his distinctive artwork in the building's
downstairs gallery. The exhibit, Imagination, features a sampling of the 88-year-old artist's intriguing
acrylic paintings and clay sculptures.
The exhibit's title was inspired by Jackier's childhood and how his daydreams helped him deal with
loneliness. The now longtime resident of Northport said as a child during the Depression, in order for his
father to find work, his family would move around a lot, which would make it difficult to make friends.
"I began to have daydreams, and the daydreams were so fun, and I enjoyed them. That sort of got me
through until I did go to school, and I began to meet some people," Jackier said.
However, his daydreams continued even when he was of school age. He made a promise to his dreams
that if they would leave him alone during the school day, he would attend to them after his studies.
Man and woman, untitled, acrylic
"The daydreams were always there, and they became a part of me. And that was what got me started painting by David Jackier.
it was my imagination making pictures and making sculptures, and I've been doing that all my life," the
artist said.
Longtime visitors to the library may already be familiar with the Jackier name. In addition to the artist's
work being displayed in the building in the past, his wife of almost 60 years, Gloria, who passed away in
2011, also had artwork exhibited at the library and her memorial was held there.
Imagination was introduced with an art talk at the library on Saturday, Jan. 3. The artist's daughter,
Lynne Jackier, described her father to attendees as a man of integrity, something she feels he
exemplifies not only in life but in his artwork. "He's going to be himself in any situation and anytime you
meet him," she said.

Playing chess, untitled clay

sculpture by David Jackier. Photo
by Rita J. Egan

The artist's daughter said for almost 20 years her father, who studied at Pratt Institute, was an art
teacher in the Northport School District and then went on to become the first director of art and media
for the district. After he retired in 1982, Jackier dedicated himself full time to his artwork.
Jackier, who doesn't like to categorize his work in any genre, said when he was a teacher, he was trying
to not only show his students how to create art but also to experience the joy of art. He believes the
medium can help someone figure out who he or she is. When it comes to his own work, he does it simply
for the pleasure of creating and not for profit.
Artist Anthony Taber, whose work has appeared in "The New Yorker," considers Jackier his mentor.
Taber said he was a hippie in his late teens with no future goals working with a theatre group when he
met Jackier. He said his mentor encouraged him to put together a portfolio of sculptures he created with
wood at the beach and apply to an art school.
Taber encouraged visitors to the exhibit to take the time to enjoy Jackier's paintings and sculptures and
not be hesitant to interpret the pieces in their own way. He explained to those in attendance on Jan. 3
that the artist uses size, such as making the head bigger than the body, to create psychological space.

Artist David Jackier in front of his

self-portrait. Photo by Rita J. Egan

Ms. Jackier also believes those viewing her father's work should make their own conclusions as far as the meaning to each piece. She said
the paintings and sculptures on display purposely have no titles so as to not manipulate a person's interpretation of the artwork.
"I really enjoy his use of color and just the whimsical nature of these things. I hope that people can let themselves just sort of let go of the
verbal part of their mind, and just really enjoy the image for what it is, and let it be what it is for each person separately. Instead of trying to
say, 'what does it mean,' say, 'what does it mean to me,'" Ms. Jackier said.
Imagination will be on display at the Northport Public Library, 151 Laurel Avenue, Northport through the month of January. For more
information, visit www.nenpl.org or call 261-6930. To view Mr. Jackier's art online, please visit his website at www.jackiergallery.com.