MEN Painting MEN

Dr. Jessie Voigts's picture

Many of Florida’s most celebrated painters (who happen to be men) are featured in an exhibit which opened June 5 at the new Gateway Center in DeBary, Florida.  The title of the exhibit is succinctly “Men Painting Men,” and the testosterone-filled exhibit is curated by a man with ALL of the artwork created by male Artists whose subject is the male figure.

 

poster art by Douglas Bloodworth

poster art by Douglas Bloodworth

 

Gateway Center for the Arts

Gateway Center for the Arts 

 

 

We asked Curator Josh Garrick about how the exhibit came to be:

 

Curator Josh Garrick by watercolorist Bob Hague

Curator Josh Garrick by watercolorist Bob Hague 

 

 

WE: Please tell us about your new exhibit, Men Painting Men...

JG: The concept is both simple and intriguing. The Gateway Center has had an impressive list of exhibits in its beautiful new building (which is less than two years old), but most of those exhibits have been curated by women with most of the work created by women Artists. The Center sought out a male curator in order to make male Artists ‘more aware’ of the new Center and its Gallery. When they spoke to me, they asked for ways in which to build up the male presence in the artwork being presented, and I immediately countered with the ‘not-so-politically-correct’ idea of an all-male exhibit. After checking with several of my male Artist friends, the idea for ‘Men Painting Men’ was born. What I did NOT expect was the higher percentage of men who showed up for the Opening.

 

 

 

Bugs and Elmer by Doug Bloodworth

Bugs and Elmer by Doug Bloodworth

 

 

 

WE: What inspired you to put together this exhibit?

JG: I honestly think the whole world enjoys a ‘concept’ show, and my only real concern in putting the exhibit together was that the best male Artists I know would have work which fit the theme. I’m also honored to say that several major pieces were created by these Artists specifically for the show. The only “limit” I dealt with – and it turned out to not be a limit at all – was the concern the Center had for the school groups that come through the Center and how some of the Art might be “seen.”  I guarantee this exhibit is ‘appropriate for family viewing’ like a G-rating in a movie.

 

WE: Who are the artists involved?

JG: For the best exhibits, you go to the best Artists, and – as stated – I checked with a few Artists before I signed on to the project.  The level of Artistry is extraordinary for a show that is not only all-male, but all-living Artists.

I am perhaps most honored to exhibit a classic “strappo” piece by the legendary Harold Garde, who just turned 88 years of age. It was his original “strappo” work that got him invited into the Metropolitan Museum in New York, and Harold doesn’t normally exhibit in group shows, but we have an exemplary work from him.

 

Harold Garde in his studio

Harold Garde in his studio 

 

strappo example by Harold Garde

strappo example by Harold Garde

 

The poster Art is drawn from one of the finest works that photo-realist painter Douglas Bloodworth has ever created, and if you look closely, you will see that the bullet-holes in this large work are real!  How’s that for testosterone, although I understand from Doug that those bullet-holes were put into the painting by his wife Karen.

To do a recognizable ‘portrait’ in watercolor requires extraordinary mastery of your medium, and we are showing a series of incredible portraits by master watercolorist Bob Hague. In addition we have portraits in oil by Arnold Munroe and Steve Vanderwolk.

 

 

BlueGrass Man by watercolorist Bob Hague

BlueGrass Man by watercolorist Bob Hague

 

John the Artist by Bob Hague

John the Artist by Bob Hague 

 

 

Of the more ‘contemporary’ works we have two signature works from mixed-media artist Victor Bokas; a significant ‘tribute’ work by contemporary “urban” artist Asaan ‘Swamburger’ Brooks; and fine examples from the ‘gas-mask’ series by urban ‘cross-over’ artist Chris Tobar.

 

 

Victor as a Dog by Victor Bokas

Victor as a Dog by Victor Bokas

 

 

"Ready to Paint" by Chris Tobar

"Ready to Paint" by Chris Tobar 

 

Visitors cannot miss the ‘double’ painting – hanging in the middle of the room – by photo-surrealist painter Jacob Cordell.  Jacob was one of the Artists who created work specifically for this exhibit. Another major work created for the show is ‘Jump’ by New Age POP Artist Parker Sketch.

 

"Grass Roots" by Jacob Cordell

"Grass Roots" by Jacob Cordell

 

Cordell work hanging in the center of the Gallery

Cordell work hanging in the center of the Gallery 

 

"Jump" by Parker Sketch

"Jump" by Parker Sketch

 

Other works of note were created by Bryce Hammond and a pair of abstract figurative works by painter and Fine Arts columnist Terry Hummel.  And there are many other Artists represented as well.

 

Joe Louis by Bryce Hammond

Joe Louis by Bryce Hammond

 

Only the Heart Knows by Terry Hummel

Only the Heart Knows by Terry Hummel

 

Its All About Numbers by Terry Hummel

Its All About Numbers by Terry Hummel 

 

 

WE: What makes this unique?

JG: It’s unique in so many ways – beginning with the fact that it’s an all-male show at a time when I was told that such a show is “not being done.”  When they asked me if I was ‘ready for the potential controversy,’ my immediate response was “Bring it on.”  But it’s such a beautiful – and accessible – show that there really is no controversy to be concerned about. It’s also unique in that the show is literally filled with new works by living Artists working in so many different styles.  I love placing an “urban” work beside a “realist classic” work, and this show allowed me to do that – several times over. Among the positive comments I received at the Opening – and I heard it more than once – is that there are so many styles (of work) in the show, and yet it still has a ‘flow.’  As a curator, that’s a high compliment.

 

Contemporary work (with mirror) by "Urban" Artist Julio Sanchez

Contemporary work (with mirror) by "Urban" Artist Julio Sanchez

 

 

WE: Anything else you'd like to share with us?

JG: Just that I honestly think this show is worth seeing – by men and women AND all age groups. It has something to say about how men ‘see’ each other in 2011, and that is worth taking a moment to consider.

 

Rowing Team by Gregory Stock

Rowing Team by Gregory Stock 

 

 

MEN PAINTING MEN will run through July 14, and the exhibit is appropriate for viewing by children. The Gateway Center for the Arts is located at 880 N. Highway 17-92 in DeBary, Florida. Gallery Hours are Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. Visit gatewaycenterforthearts.org or call 386.668.5553.

 

Curator Josh Garrick may be reached at joshgarrick9[at]gmail.com or by visiting jjgarrick.com

 

 

Feature photo: Doug Bloodworth -  "Clint" original