Eric Magnuson

Be Here Now/Please Stand By

2013

A contemporary oil painting on linen by American artist A.J. Fries. Artist’s Statement: These works are an extension of a small series of realistic paintings that I did of graves...

A contemporary oil painting on linen by American artist A.J. Fries. Artist’s Statement: These works are an extension of a small series of realistic paintings that I did of graves...

A contemporary oil painting on linen by American artist A.J. Fries. Artist’s Statement: These works are an extension of a small series of realistic paintings that I did of graves...

"Spirit" a bold and thoughtful cubist oil on canvas was painted in December of 2001 by African American artist William (Bill) Cooper. William Y. Cooper was a writer, painter, muralist, illustrator, and art teacher. He moved to Western New York in 1954 from Birmingham, Alabama, to pursue work, and Buffalo has been his home ever since. In 1975, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University at Buffalo; he was also a state certified art teacher. Cooper woked primarily in oils and acrylics, but also creates drawings on paper. He has painted several commissioned murals and has had more than fifteen one-man shows in Western New York and Ghana, West Africa, and has participated in more than twenty-five group exhibitions since he began his professional career in 1969. His paintings and drawings address both his African heritage and his experience as an American through symbolism and metaphor. He observes, “I am an Afrocentric artist. My worldview is rooted in an African frame of reference and a deep, abiding sense of the creator from whence I draw my inspiration, strength, and a sense of who I am. The use of symbols allows me to explore literal ideas.” Among Cooper’s published works are two children’s books, 77 Jackson Street, Rear and Nakai and the Red Shoes, and a novel for adults, The Mopane Tree. Cooper founded the Afrocentric Artists’ Collective and ran the organization from 1979 to 1981. In 2013 he was designated a “Living Legacy” artist by the Burchfield Penney Arts Center, the latest in a series of honors which has also included awards from the Arts Council of Buffalo & Erie County, the New York State Council on the Arts, and Alpha Kappa Alpha...

Charlotte Gibbs’ "flag" paintings often reference the artist's interest in Pop art and Geometric Abstractions, and sometimes incorporate 23 karat gold leaf in addition to oil paint, but not always. With its depiction of a graphically idealized Scottish flag...

Charlotte Gibbs’ "flag" and "star" paintings often reference the artist's interest in Pop art and sometimes incorporate 23 karat gold leaf in addition to oil paint, but not always. With its depiction of a graphically idealized British flag. "Union Jack (Blue and Gold) " is at once lovely and bold. Part of a series of 'flag' paintings (American, British, French, Japanese, Scottish) these elegant works of rich color are sophisticated examples of Gibbs' ability to both pay homage in a straightforward way to these international cultural symbols, as well as to the broader tradition of pure geometric abstraction in painting. They can be perceived on both levels. The artist's simple distressed slightly distressed white wood double lattice frame is the perfect complement. Also available are paintings of the 'Union Jack" in white and 23 karat gold leaf and bright, 'day-glo' like colors of blue, chartreuse and red, and red and gold. See also: "Sgt. Pepper Jack," "Union Jack Red and Gold," "Union Jack Navy and Gold," and "Union Jack White and Gold"), the Scottish flag...

Charlotte Gibbs’ "flag" and "star" paintings often reference the artist's interest in Pop art and sometimes incorporate 23 karat gold leaf in addition to oil paint, but not always. With its depiction of a detail of the graphically idealized stars of the American flag in gold leaf against an olive ground, "Canton Olive and Gold" is at once lovely and bold. Beautifully painted and exquisitely executed, these elegant works of rich color are sophisticated examples of Gibbs' ability to invoke whimsy while demanding serious attention, and the artist's simple natural wood double lattice frame is the perfect complement. "Canton Olive and Gold" 23 Karat Gold Leaf and Oil on Linen 30 x 42 Inches Also available are 2 very related works in this "Canton" series: "Starry Splendor" which is entirely of 23 karat gold leaf and is the same size (30 x 42 inches), and "Canton Major" which is 23 karat gold leaf and navy blue oil paint and is slightly larger (34 x 48 inches). Available as well is the "U.S. flag in Olive and Gold," a painting of the full American flag in 23 karat gold leaf and olive oil paint...

Charlotte Gibbs’ "flag" and "star" paintings often reference the artist's interest in Pop art and sometimes incorporate 23 karat gold leaf in addition to oil paint, but not always. ...