Whirlpool 1 2021 / 46 x 138" / acrylic and gems on plywood panels

OPENING | SATURDAY | APRIL 23RD | 6-8PM
Exhibition dates: April 23rd - May 13th
WORKS ON PAPER, SCULPTURE, PAINTING

“This show includes painting, works on paper & sculpture.
The works on paper, are examples of how I approach ideas for paintings. Usually, I do several versions from one image. It helps me build a physical, muscle memory, of what they are. They become shapes, overlaps, colors, etc, for the 2-dimensional space of painting. Once I "understand" them I almost don't have to look when working on the larger paintings. I just know where the marks, shapes and colors go. The flat space of paper expands from 2-D to an imagined stage space with a proscenium in the front to all subsequent scrims, curtains, and backdrops. Of course, once I get started on a painting, all hell breaks loose, and I just try to make a painting."

The Whirlpool Galaxy, inspiration for the Whirlpool painting, was discovered by Charles Messier on October 13, 1773. It was the first galaxy identified as a spiral galaxy. The object is 28 million light years from us.
It is 76,000 light-years in diameter, give or take a few feet. Yet, under the right conditions, it can be seen with binoculars and amateur telescopes.

Whirlpool 1 2021
46 x 138"
acrylic and gems on plywood panels

The Gold Tear:
"I gold leafed this tear cut from 1986 to make a tear for the wall in lieu of what is being done by the Russians to the Ukrainians. It was the only thing I could think of doing, short of going there to fight."

A Gold tear for the Wall 1986-2022
22 x 14 x 9.5"
gold leaf on plywood

~ JOHN TORREANO April, 2022