de Saisset Museum, Santa Clara University

Since their invention in the 1860s, bicycles have become an increasingly visible part of American culture. Today, we utilize them for convenience, sport, sustainable transportation, and a variety of other reasons. This is especially true in environmentally-conscious states like California, where bike lanes are ever-present and off-road trails are utilized for both hiking and biking. Given their wide popularity, it is not surprising to find that many artists are turning to the bicycle as compelling subject matter. Whether they are cycling enthusiasts, intrigued by the design of two-wheelers, or inspired by the image itself, artists continue to find creative ways to re-imagine the form and function of the bicycle. Through photographs, drawings, painting, and sculpture, the artists in this exhibition place a new spin on the subject. They explore the bicycle from every angle imaginable, isolating abstract forms, breaking the subject into component parts, calling attention to the beauty of everyday experience, or using the bicycle as a form of social and cultural commentary. Through the works on display, these artists highlight the creativity, beauty, fascination, and humor behind this cultural phenomenon.