About Edward O. Lund
Edward Odd Lund, III
Edward Odd Lund, III was his own person from the day he was born. Dynamic…unique…admired…and yet, none of these words seem to really capture the man who was loved by so many. All we can do is give you anecdotes, pictures, and stories of a person that defied definition with his intellect, artistry, gracefulness, and warmth.
As soon as he could walk, Edward would climb out of his crib and partake in mischief. At age two, he emptied all the dry ingredients out of the cabinet, mixed them together on the kitchen floor and announced that he was making breakfast. It was the beginning of a creative, precocious, and remarkable life.
He lived to the point of tears.
Edward was brilliant. He passed all the Mensa tests, but declined to join. It was his way. He was never a member of anything, but he was a part of everything! Rather than belong to one particular club, team or group, it fit his quiet affable aesthetic to enjoy the comradery of many. There were never any labels. He was always accepted and loved for who he was and his contributions.
His motto for life was “Live to the point of tears.” It summed up his passion and verve for everything important to him.
In Art as in Life
His “uniform” was often a simple black T-shirt and jeans. He saved his precision, care and artistry for the shows he curated and installed. In fact, he was known not just for the technical aspect of the works he perfectly arranged, but the sense of how he used a space in terms of flow and narrative. Everything from color choices for the walls, typography, and layout were all coordinated with smooth, crisp professionalism.
Edward’s preferred art medium was conceptual. His art exhibits often invoked political and social statements that inspired conversation and dialogue. He was a founding member of the Corridor 2122 art gallery, a fixture of Fresno’s gallery scene, curating the work of local artists. He was also an expert art installer, juggling gigs at such venues as Fresno State, where he was gallery technician at the Phebe Conley Art Gallery, as well as the College of Arts and Humanities Dean’s Gallery in the Music Building and the Graduate Art Studios at the M Street Arts Complex in downtown Fresno. At Fresno City College, he was a curator for the Art Space Gallery; and was a significant contributor to the Fresno Art Museum.
Don’t Forget the Wheels!
And, then there was the cycling! When he was 14 years old, Edward began working at a local Fresno bicycle shop. He cycled vigorously as a teenager. This fervor for all things bicycles lasted until he died. He was a well-respected cyclist, venturing out on weekends to ride with different teams and many friends, often powering through century rides.
Because of his passion, focus, and driving force, he was affectionately known as “The Hammer” by his cycling cohorts. Throughout his adult years, he could often be found mentoring a cycling novice and would regularly lend a mechanical hand to bike shops in town. All of this simply because he enjoyed being a part of all things “bike.”
Loving the Life He Lived
In his lifetime, Edward was an artist, ballet and modern dancer, metalsmith, carpenter, gardener, classic Volvo enthusiast, rock climber, outdoor adventurer, cyclist, and gourmet chef. He lived in Fresno, Toronto, Oakland, Seattle, and Manhattan, returning to Fresno in 1999 to complete his master’s degree in studio art at CSU, Fresno. He was a sought after art curator, art installation aficionado, and teacher.
And, through all the changing tides of life, Edward never forgot the child inside of himself. He always lived in the moment, not the minutes. And he inspired everyone he met along the way to do the same.