Upcoming Art Shows
World Renowned Spanish Artist Royo to Unveil New Works in Austin, Texas
Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery Features “Las Estaciones de Royo” May 1-31, 2013
Austin, TX –Royo, a world-renowned Spanish artist, known as the Heir to the Spirit of Sunlight, will present a collection of art created specially for the Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery in an exhibit titled “Las Estaciones de Royo” which translated means “The Seasons of Royo” May 1-31, 2013 with two personal appearances on May 10 and 11.
For more than a year Royo’s latest “Mujeres” art series of 25 images explores a more personal connection to his models with their eyes becoming a focal point of the painting. Just three will be released as a suite at the Austin exhibit. The prints are mixed media with serigraph and texture coats laminated onto hard board and measure 26” x 16” unframed. A 75-page tabletop book illustrating all of the paintings in the collection will be signed by ROYO and is included in the “Mujeres” portfolio. Additional works will be for sale and are available to preview in the collector’s catalog. All art will be available for acquisition.
Born in Valencia Spain, the artist led a privileged childhood and at age 9, his father employed private tutors to instruct Royo in drawing, painting and sculpture. Royo continued to study in numerous art academies and made many visits to the major museums in Europe to study Goya, Renoir, Monet and Sorolla to name a few. At age 25, Royo began to feel a growing desire to paint the land of his birth and to convey the light, the color and the intensity of Valencia and the Mediterranean. In the late 1980’s Royo refined his focus and began painting women with his “homage to the female form” where influences of Renoir are evident. It is the almost portrait-like treatment of the female model, caught in a serene, contemplative moment, with the surrounding “bursts” of color from the floral landscapes that we see the “Renoir” in Royo’s work. Royo has also had the distinct honor to paint the portraits of the king and queen of Spain and is called upon often to paint prominent political and society figures in his homeland.
On a ten-acre estate in a village outside of Valencia, Royo has created an outdoor studio in the farmlands of Spain, complete with 12 dogs, 40 cats and 8 chickens, painting scenes by the pool and among the orchards of olives and oranges and luscious wildflower meadows. Many of Royo’s muses are women from around the village, including his wife, his daughter Lucia, the daughter of the town baker and others. Growing up in a family of women, with three older sisters, Royo has come to respect and worship the strength and profound tranquility of a woman and that admiration is evident in his breathtaking work.
The collection includes 30-40 paintings that were created specifically for the Austin show. Royo has had sell-out shows in London, Mexico, the United States and throughout Europe. There are more than 10 books in print featuring Royo’s work and several of those will be available for purchase during the Austin exhibit. A catalog of art is available upon request.
WHEN: A personal appearance and reception with Royo will take place on Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11, both nights from 6-8 p.m. RSVP Requested. Art will be available for acquisition and will be signed by the artist. Exhibit runs May 1-31, 2013. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
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COURT LURIE PRESENTS NEXUS APRIL 6-May 5, 2013
“Nexus” Exhibit opening April 6, 2013
Court Lurie’s Solo Exhibition “Nexus” Features over 30 New Abstract Paintings and Photographs
at the Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery
AUSTIN, Texas – When Court Lurie wanders into her neighborhood hardware store, it’s to source new tools to paint with. Lurie frequently visits thrift stores and salvage yards to discover new technologies for mark making that craft the visual dialogues that come alive in her work. She takes industrial materials out of their assigned function and repurposes them to create marks that weave together an intricate nexus of line, color, form, and content. In this solo exhibit, her powerful abstract works illuminate a dance between technological influence, and the forces of nature we confront daily - a beautiful tension where entropy meets order. The Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery is honored to host this Austin artist in an exclusive exhibit April 6-30, 2013, where new and varied pieces will be for sale including abstract paintings and photography.
“In my work, I am interested in the emblematic capacity of nature and the technological world, as well as the potential that nonrepresentational art has to allude to that which we cannot define”, says Lurie of her upcoming exhibit. She adds, “The process of creating each work is a dialogue that unfolds in the moment. Creating is an opportunity to feel something into the world that has not existed before you, but is calling out to be birthed.”
Originally from Chicago, Lurie has lived in Austin for seven years. She has gallery representation in Austin, New York and Santa Fe. She received a BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. She spent a decade in New Mexico, as Program Manager of the Albuquerque Art Alliance, and Education and Volunteer Coordinator for a prestigious contemporary arts organization. She spent a year in Europe and the Middle East. Locally, she served on an advisory committee with Art Alliance Austin, works frequently with Big Medium and Pump Project, and has spearheaded collaborations with other artists, organizations, and community government for the past two decades, advancing support and around arts, community, and education. She mentors young artists in the early stages of their careers. Each move is revealed in the tapestry of her work. After years of personal and spiritual growth, her work has transformed into unpredictable raw meditations on letting go. In her own words, she is “creating form from the formless realm.”
“I am thrilled to showcase Court’s talents,” says gallery owner Lisa Russell. “She is truly taking Austin and the art world by storm. I have shown her work before at the gallery, and had such an enthusiastic response that I knew this year I wanted to put the spotlight solely on her at some point in 2013.” A reception on Saturday, April 6th, 2013 from 6-9 p.m. will give guests the chance to meet her and to dialogue about the new body of work.
Open Tuesday - Saturday / 10 am - 6 pm