New York artist Richard Bruce, originally from Huntington, WV brings his art back to his home state with a show at The Purple Moon opening on Thursday, June 23rd as part of Festivall 2011 and the Downtown Charleston ArtWalk.
This Place I Know and Other Works will present Bruce’s dreamlike landscapes and abstract paintings. This is the first showing by the artist in West Virginia since 1995.
A reception with the Richard Bruce will be held on June 23rd from 5pm to 8pm. Live music will be provided by Tofujitsu.
“My paintings have been heavily influenced by the Abstract Expressionist painters and, during my years in Manhattan I had the great fortune to work with and get to know many of the greats including Joan Mitchell, Milton Resnick and Louise Fishman. Abstract elements are still incorporated in my work, however, now my paintings are much more informed by the area in which I live and the ethereal beauty of the Hudson Valley. Recently I have realized how little my paintings actually have to do with landscape. In fact, most landscape painting holds very little interest for me. I am not trying to create literal depictions of specific places, but am more interested in capturing the experience of the landscape, of being in nature and the inherent spirituality found there. The paintings are very much about the river and the water. When I am not painting I spend a great deal of time kayaking on the river or hiking on the many trails in the area. I am also very concerned about the preservation and restoration of this environment and wonderful resource.” – Richard Bruce
Since leaving the state, Richard Bruce has shown his work extensively and his recent solo exhibits include:
Richard Bruce, Wetlands and Water, Beacon Art/Shortwave Gallery, Stone Harbor, NJ. July 2 August 1, 2010
Richard Bruce, Bodies of Water, Beacon Art/Shortwave Gallery, Stone Harbor, NJ July 1-July 31, 2009
Richard Bruce, Wet Lands and Bodies of Water, Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries, Beacon, NY September 16, 2006 March 6, 2007
Richard Bruce, Karin Sanders Fine Art, Sag Harbor, NY September 2 October 27, 2006
Richard Bruce, Landscapes, LTMH Gallery, 22 East 72nd Street, NY, NY January 18 February 11, 2005
Richard Bruce: Open Studio, Collaborative Concepts, Beacon, NY, May 17 July 14, 2003
Richard Bruce has recieved the following awards:
HUDSON RIVER ARTS AWARD May 2006
Granted by The Society for the Arts, Religion and Contemporary Culture with Cross Currents Magazine and Auburn Theological Seminary for The River Seems a Magic Thing conference held at the Museum of Biblical Art, New York City
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE, Collaborative Concepts, Beacon, NY September 2002-2003
NEW YORK FOUNDATION for the ARTS SOS GRANT June 2002 for the sculpture project, Sticks & Stones, at Collaborative Concepts, Beacon, NY
RAY LEVINE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD March 1996 School of Visual Arts – For outstanding scholastic achievement in art therapy
EMERGING ARTIST GRANT 1986 Arts & Science Council, Charlotte, NC