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2008
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BUILDING FINE ART COLLECTIONS SINCE 1965
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RENE ALVARADO /
New Work 2008
June 6 - July 2
Opening reception
Friday June 6
6 - 8 pm
In writing "The Madonna as Muse: the Paintings of Rene Alvarado", Curator Jim Edwards reflects on Alvarado's cultural roots and references his artistic style within the historical traditions of Mexican art. "It was tempting to declare [Alvarado's] work surrealist, by virtue of the odd juxtaposition of figures, still life objects and landscapes depicted. However, I have come to think of Alvarado as an imagist," says Edwards.
Edwards adopts the distinction between surrealism and imagism identified by art historian Walter Hopps. "Older than the term 'surrealism', imagism has its roots in the world of poetry by way of T.S, Eliot, Ezra Pound, and H.D. (Hilda Doolittle)," notes Hopps. "Like surrealism, imagist art employs recognizable images in fantastic or unreal juxtapositions. Imagist art depicts recognizable locations, people, and objects, but these figurative elements are not put together in a a sensible way; instead, they often appear disjunctively. Imagist painting is constructed in the same way as the poetry, using the images a visual metaphors."
"The metaphors that Alvarado explores in his art are only partially invented." Edwards observes. "To a large extent, he uses the objects he collects not only as sources of inspiration, but as models for the images depicted in his paintings. His studio ... is filled with objects as diverse as taxidermy animals, clay and wooden figurines, ceramics, fine lace work, bird cages, Mexican masks, votive objects and old furniture." All make their way to canvas in Alvarado's complex imagery.
The Madonna as Muse: the Paintings of Rene Alvarado curated by Jim Edwards opens September 11, 2008, at San Angelo Museum of Fine Art. A full color catalogue with text by Mr. Edwards accompanies the exhibition.
high-resolution images:
Eva's Passing
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Eva's Passing/
oil / 48" x 60"
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Alexey Krasnovsky /
NEW WORKS
May 2 - 24
Opening Reception, May 2
6 to 8 pm
Alexey Krasnovsky (b.1945), grew up in postwar Leningrad [St. Petersburg] where he remembers "living in nostalgic literature rather than reality." Having studied five years at the Tavrichesky Art College in St. Petersburg with the constructivist painter Alexander Pavlovitch Zaitzev, he consolidated his education through the study of the great collections in the Hermitage Museum. In 1979 Krasnovsky left his homeland to pursue a migratory artistic career which has included extended periods of time in the USA, Ireland, Mexico, Portugal and France, and Austria.
A humble, modest man, Alexey Krasnovsky finds his rewards in humble modest scenes. His humanity is always evident, though he remains the observer intrigued by the angle of a street, a building, a doorway. He concentrates on the cities of his migratory life - their strange, lurid heat. His appreciation of mood and atmosphere draws you into each scene. Oranges, reds, limpid blues unravel, expose or turn the table of your mind as if these colours tell a story that only the artist knows; nonetheless, you are there, within the tale.
- Paul Gardner
Alexey currently divides his time between Austin and Dublin, Ireland, where he has a strong artistic presence.
Excerpts from Paul Gardner essay
Brochure PDF (282 KB)
high-resolution images:
Metropolitan Ave
Williamsburg
Manhattan Ave
Tavira
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Metropolitan Ave /
oil / 36" x 48"
Williamsburg /
oil / 34" x 18"
Manhattan Ave /
oil / 34" x 40"
Tavira /
oil / 16" x 20"
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Milt Kobayashi / NEW WORKS
February 22 - March 20
Opening Reception, February 22
6 to 8 pm
Artists who leave a mark on the art world are those who develop a unique personal style. Milt Kobayashi has found his. A New York based painter of Japanese-American descent, he draws on the aesthetics of both Eastern and Western form to achieve artist balance. Kobayashi's imagery, like that of 19th century Impressionists he admires, gives a glimpse of everyday life in a manner both playful and sophisticated. Stylistically, the influence of the Japanese ukiyo-e [wood-block] masters is evident in the flattened perspective while cropped imagery, gestural expression and minimal brushstrokes suggest Kobayashi's refreshing sense of spontaneity.
Gallery Shoal Creek has represented Mr. Kobayashi since 1984. Over the course of two and a half decades, his work has garnered national and international attention. The gallery is proud to be a part of the Kobayashi legacy.
high-resolution images:
Every Day at the Flower Room
Big Yellow Bow
The Regulars
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Every Day at the Flower Room /
oil
24" x 18" / 2008
Big Yellow Bow /
oil
8
" x 8" / 2008
The Regulars /
oil
16" x 16" / 2008
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