Geoff Harwood: Painting/installation
September 2008
The new exhibition "paintings" by Geoff Harwood sees the American artist return to his favourite themes of abstract minimalism and figurative female nudes. A master colourist, here they are at their best-silky,saturated and in some cases absent. These paintings are about the fusion of painting and emotion-nothing more.
Geoff Harwood "Form & the Formless" is the artist's continued visual dialogue with Barcelona. A slight departure from his trademark somber tones, these paintings explode in a kaleidoscope of colour and emotion while at the same time not sacrificing the feeling of mystery and spirituality of his last show, the highly successful "Rites".The pieces as always have a strong immediate visual impact that continue to vary, expand, and open up on longer and repeated viewings. In these abstract minimalist paintings, figures linger and float on the canvas like misplaced memories. They serve as a reminder that we can not live without a deeper sense of beauty.
"Rites/Exequias"
The long awaited exhibition of paintings and sculpture from the American artist Geoff Harwood´s recent tenure in Barcelona. Comprised of work from the last two years this is the artist´s first show since his Prague exhibition of 2001 when he was working with the Czech painter Josef Sykera. For "Rites/Exequias" The artist has created sacred works in keeping with the sacred Roman ground on which the Gracia Arts Project gallery now stands. Silence and space are two pivotal elements here. The serenity created by the atmosphere of the show is seen as a daily respite from the chaos of this simultaneously modern and ancient city. Abstract minimalist with some figurative elements, most of the pieces have a strong immediate visual impact that continues to vary, expand and open up with longer and repeated viewings. Highlights include the enigmatic "Icarus" and the heart breaking and beautiful pieces "Tears" and "Last Rite" dedicated to Sykera who passed away in 2003. "Rites/Exequias" opens on May 8 as the inaugural exhibition of the Gracia Arts Project Gallery on Sant Honorat next to the Cathedral and continues to the end of the month.
Geoff grew up and studies visual arts in Baltimore and New York. He moved to Europe in 1992 and lived and exhibited in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Prague and Sarajevo. He has been living in Barcelona since 2005.
His major influences are the artists he has worked with. Leon Golub and Nancy Spero in New York, Alex McKadden in Amsterdam and Josef Sykera in Prague.
“I have always been blessed with a community of the spirit and lucky that I had older and more experienced artists to guide me. I hope my work can serve as a dedication to their inspiration.”
His lyrical drawings, paintings and installations combine abstract and figurative elements. His latest works deal with “freeing the live” and “connecting with something greater”.
“Describing visual art is often ineffective and insufficient. The works must speak for themselves.”
Links: e-mail me
The new exhibition "paintings" by Geoff Harwood sees the American artist return to his favourite themes of abstract minimalism and figurative female nudes. A master colourist, here they are at their best-silky,saturated and in some cases absent. These paintings are about the fusion of painting and emotion-nothing more.
Geoff Harwood "Form & the Formless" is the artist's continued visual dialogue with Barcelona. A slight departure from his trademark somber tones, these paintings explode in a kaleidoscope of colour and emotion while at the same time not sacrificing the feeling of mystery and spirituality of his last show, the highly successful "Rites".The pieces as always have a strong immediate visual impact that continue to vary, expand, and open up on longer and repeated viewings. In these abstract minimalist paintings, figures linger and float on the canvas like misplaced memories. They serve as a reminder that we can not live without a deeper sense of beauty.
"Rites/Exequias"
The long awaited exhibition of paintings and sculpture from the American artist Geoff Harwood´s recent tenure in Barcelona. Comprised of work from the last two years this is the artist´s first show since his Prague exhibition of 2001 when he was working with the Czech painter Josef Sykera. For "Rites/Exequias" The artist has created sacred works in keeping with the sacred Roman ground on which the Gracia Arts Project gallery now stands. Silence and space are two pivotal elements here. The serenity created by the atmosphere of the show is seen as a daily respite from the chaos of this simultaneously modern and ancient city. Abstract minimalist with some figurative elements, most of the pieces have a strong immediate visual impact that continues to vary, expand and open up with longer and repeated viewings. Highlights include the enigmatic "Icarus" and the heart breaking and beautiful pieces "Tears" and "Last Rite" dedicated to Sykera who passed away in 2003. "Rites/Exequias" opens on May 8 as the inaugural exhibition of the Gracia Arts Project Gallery on Sant Honorat next to the Cathedral and continues to the end of the month.
Geoff grew up and studies visual arts in Baltimore and New York. He moved to Europe in 1992 and lived and exhibited in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Prague and Sarajevo. He has been living in Barcelona since 2005.
His major influences are the artists he has worked with. Leon Golub and Nancy Spero in New York, Alex McKadden in Amsterdam and Josef Sykera in Prague.
“I have always been blessed with a community of the spirit and lucky that I had older and more experienced artists to guide me. I hope my work can serve as a dedication to their inspiration.”
His lyrical drawings, paintings and installations combine abstract and figurative elements. His latest works deal with “freeing the live” and “connecting with something greater”.
“Describing visual art is often ineffective and insufficient. The works must speak for themselves.”
Links: e-mail me
Double click video to
view full screen
view full screen
