alfredo gisholt: canto general
America Insurrecta, 2013, Oil on Canvas, 72" x 84" ©Alfredo Gisholt, Courtesy of Cue Gallery.
New York! New York! If you couldn't tell I had much fun in New York City enjoying the energy and the sounds the city makes, but most of all the art. While trying to meet up with a friend of mine, which I was not successful in doing, he told me about Alfredo's show at CUE. Thanks Matt! Alfredo Gisholt was a visiting artist of mine when I was in graduate school, a wonderful artist and person, I enjoyed having him in my studio. I remember his visit… as he was looking at my two large triptych's and diptych paintings, he had said a lot to me that day but the words that have stuck with me are "These painting celebrate painting" Just four simple words, a true compliment for a painter. Especially, a painter who cares about each mark that falls on to the canvas.
Now I would like to say the same to him "Afredo, your paintings celebrate painting!"
The color in Alfredo's paintings offered me a sense of movement through out his work that led me in and out and back again. The textures kept me coming back for a second and third look. The painter in me truly enjoyed the lusciousness of the paint; the thickness of the paint at times, and the thin parts of the paint that led me to a breath of air. The largeness of his canvas allowed me to fall nicely into the landscape, or perhaps a better word might be world, being encompassed into a believable dream so to speak. And the marks! Well, they danced on and off the canvas.
Vienen los pajaros, 2013, Oil on canvas, 72" x 84" ©Alfredo Gisholt, Courtesy of Cue Gallery.
Alfredo quotes De Kooning talking about how he felt about Matisse. He replied "He has no -isms, that's very true, it's just painting, a marvelous large painting…just paints a picture. It is a good thing to remember." To this Alfredo says "I am just trying to paint a picture, a marvelous large picture. I use simple tools and have no worlds." Well said.
Voy a vivir, 2013, Oil on canvas, 72" x 84" ©Alfredo Gisholt, Courtesy of Cue Gallery.
If you're in New York City, I urge you strongly to check out Alfredo's show: Canto General, open now through March 7 at CUE.