
"A Barn at Fairbanks" by Allen Hackney measures H 20” x W 30” was purchased in 1967 for $300, and is valued at $1,250. It is original oil on board showing an old barn with wheat field in front and a wood and wire fence run from the center to left middle ground. In describing the subject matter in the painting the artist says, "I have always had a love for things old and decayed, perhaps symbolic of another time and another world. But my subject matter is also personal and this was painted in my wife’s home town.”
Allen Hackney further states that “in my work I wish to achieve an extremely delicate and beautiful handling combined with strength through color, composition and subject. I wish my painting to be exact and precise in detail with a microscopic faithfulness to nature. But even if I succeed at all of this, there is one more thing; an idea or a message must be conveyed-not shouted, but softly spoken. And if the craftsmanship is good, the painting will last for centuries. These are my goals.”
Allen Hackney was an art teacher at Glenn Junior High School in Terre Haute and was born in Madison. He has a B.S. and M.S. degree from Indiana State University and attended Highland Park Jr. College, Highland Park, Michigan. Three years of private study with painter John Laska, who painted Deming Pond in the Tri Kappa collection, was of considerable help to Mr. Hackney.
There were small losses along the lower left edge so these were in painted. This is the 22nd painting to be restored.