He uses specially formed glass tubes or salvaged glass forms from commercial neon signage, and is known for word play to accompany his forms. Ken was Acting Chair of the ODU Art Department and served as chair for twelve years prior to 1992. He has taught foundation courses in design and drawing, and upper level courses in art criticism, book arts, screenprinting, intaglio processes, lithography, and relief printing. I was fortunate enough to take a serograph course in which we built our own silkscreen apparatus, before we were mentored on making the images. Wihen Ken saw Then & Now by yours truly, he remarked "Roberta, you are just scandalous" because I had actually brought into the studio classroom, both kinds of grass appearing in the image. It was probably one of the most valuable instruction we all gained while at ODU, for his subtle style of mentoring. Freedom. Enlightenment.
Professor Daley worked with local school boards to help set up the first Governor's School for the Arts, which allows talented high school students in the visual arts, theater, music, and dance courses, equipment at area universities and arts organizations.
He has asked: Why is it important for a student to understand about art and education? And has answered: that harnessing these forces together will provide students with both the skills and knowledge to achieve their life goals. Ken's work has included teaching courses in print processes, drawing, art critiique , et al.
As a junior faculty member, he helped design the B.F.A. program. During his term as chair, the department developed an M.F.A. program with Norfolk State; and with the Governor's School for the Arts; a University Gallery; and a complex that includes the Diehn Center, Visual Arts Building and Art Studio Building. He has initiated growth for the university and his students. His prominent installation, seen on a busy High Street corner gallery is impressive to all driving by:
He considers himself a fixture at ODU, but also enjoys travel and 'building bridges'; as a visiting artist at the Zhejiang Academy of Art in Hangzhou, China. He has received commissions including print & poster editions for the International Society for Graphic Arts, the Williamsburg Foundation, the Chrysler Museum, Harborfest, the Governor's School for the Arts and WHRO, et al. His series of posters for the Virginia Opera, in '75, when it first opened, and among our areas' most appreciated artists.
I have used neon in my work since the early 70s. I consider it a twentieth century graphic medium, one that is electrically and intrinsically connected to the world of signs and language.
Some consider his most ambitious commission was for the installation of a large plate glass and neon work, "Parataxis," in a sizable reading area at the Virginia Beach Central Library. As is his style, the work focuses on communication, understanding, literature, poetry, reading and how tlibraries are so important to daily life.
