gordon skinner artists reception jan 19: showing to feb 18
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8/3/2019 Gordon Skinner Artists Reception Jan 19: showing to Feb 18
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"Stolen I.D.: Fragmented, Colonized, and Lost" New Haven Free Public Library Gallery 133 Elm Street
paintings by GORDON SKINNER
Artist Reception: Thursday, January 19, 5 to 7 PM.
The subject of identity is one every artist battles with; whether this means voiding
identity of its importance or basing one¶s art entirely on what it means to be a Self and a
human. Gordon Skinner¶s work falls within the litmus of an identity in crisis. As a young
African-American, the frustration felt by the artist at his lack of ownership in society is
something that is centuries old and runs deep with in the veins of society. He is part of a
group that feels fragmented, colonized, and lost. As Skinner puts it, ³I feel robbed of my
heritage and culture.´
This anger and frustration is too big to put into words. So, two years ago in 2009, Skinner
turned to paint to vent that sense of invisibility in a tangible way. He began painting
figures wearing colorful masks that represent both concealment and expression. Though
their true identities, defining features, and identifying qualities are obfuscated by the
mask, the images are expressive and dynamic. Skinner tends to challenge the norms of
American society in his images, calling upon the sedatives fed to the public through
television and reliance on petroleum. In other works, he commemorates those artists that
inspire him, from Joan Mitchell to Tracey Emin, expressing that he is fully conscious of
the fact that, as a young artist, he is a subject of those who blazed the trail before him.
Gordon Skinner - "Tin Drum" acrylic house paint, spray paint, and collage on canvas, 36" x 48"
Full of vigor and animation, his work is raw, spontaneous, colorful, and fragmented.You escape nothing when viewing his work; through a variety of mediums, he lays
everything out on the table to be picked over and looked at. There is a rough, almost
primal, edge to his artwork. It comes from a severely emotional place, creating an
8/3/2019 Gordon Skinner Artists Reception Jan 19: showing to Feb 18
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instant and intimate connection with the viewer. Skinner is locating his voice out of
voicelessness; as an artist, he is emerging into a category of human that transcendsdefinition and exists purely in a place of creativity and innovation.
Gordon Skinner is a visiting artist to the Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery. He is a New
Haven area artist.
Gordon Skinner - "Wise Noble" acrylic house paint and spray paint on canvas, 36" x 48"
Gordon Skinner - "Crack Baby" acrylic house paint on wood panel, 21" x 241/2"
Exhibition: January 11 - February 18, 2012****************************************************************
Gallery Hours:Monday: 12 - 8 pm
Tuesday - Thursday: 10 am - 8 pmFriday: 10 - 5 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pmSunday: closed
****************************************************************Art Gallery Director & Curator: Johnes Ruta
(203) [email protected]
http://azothgallery.com/gallery.htm