Gordon Skinner show opens at Da Silva Gallery in New Haven Thursday

Da Silva Gallery

899 Whalley Ave., New Haven, (203) 387-2539

Hard Works: The Artwork of Gordon Skinner

Sept. 20—Oct. 19, 2012.

Opening reception: Thurs., Sept. 20, 6—9 p.m.

Press release from Da Silva Gallery

Artist Gordon Skinner aptly describes his artwork as “Integrity Art”—“Art that is real, honest, and promotes creative consistency.” His solo show at the Da Silva Gallery in New Haven, Hard Works: The Artwork of Gordon Skinner, runs from Sept. 20 to Oct. 19. The title, a double entendre of sorts, describes Skinner’s collection of paintings comprised primarily of organic portraits that are given expression through the use of bold color, spontaneous brushwork, and a world of hard-edged personal history. In the mask-like visages that Skinner paints, lie revelations that are both personal and universal. They’re reflections that confront some of the hard realities and pressing issues that exist all around us - but do not always press us to action.

 

As an artist, Skinner’s work is also reminiscent of a tradition and movement known as “Blues Impulse”. This tradition follows a long list of artists of various mediums who have transformed their extenuating circumstances and hardships into extraordinary levels of visual content and artistic expression. This tradition is also highlighted in the personal expression of people who overcome adversity and express their stories through the oral tradition and the resilience in which they live their lives.

Hard Works also touches on the work ethic required of the artist in creating a body of quality work, which in Skinner’s case, means working three jobs while simultaneously carving out time to paint. The result is not only an honest expression of an artist painting the world as he sees it, but also, by example encouraging others to work hard in pursuit of their life’s passions. In 2012 alone, Skinner has managed to generate the attention of the press surrounding his art. Having been featured as a guest on television programs CT Style and Better CT, featured articles by Hearst Publication and The New Haven Independent, having his work featured in The New York Times as well as being the subject of a final thesis paper for a Yale student.

Skinner’s work has been exhibited in contemporary art galleries in CT, such as City Lights Gallery, Bridgeport, as well as NYC’s international annual Outsider Art Fair in Times Square, and in a solo show in January in the Azoth Gallery at the New Haven Public Library. In addition to being the subject of a documentary by Take Notice Productions about his art, his paintings were also featured in a magazine photo shoot with celebrity fashion designers Coco and Breezy.

At the exhibition, viewers can expect to see paintings in a variety of mediums, on both canvas and wood. Debuting in this show will be an introduction of a several family members in a series Skinner calls “The Gohar Tribe.” The series is a fictionalized family of individual portraits that are similar in aesthetic. The characters are all unique in their own right and display their own personal freedom of expression in their individuality.

An opening reception with the artist will be held on Thurs., Sept. 20, at the Da Silva Gallery from 6—9 p.m.

The exhibition will be on display at the gallery until Oct. 19.