Peter Gynd: Markers of Space and Time

Peter Gynd: Markers of Space and Time Exhibition Dates: June 21 – July 5, 2024 Opening Reception: Friday, June 21, 6–8 pm Artist Talk: Sunday, June 23, 3 pm Location: 37-39 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002 Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 12-6 pm Space 776 is pleased to present "Markers of Space and Time," a solo exhibition of new oil paintings by Peter Gynd. Peter Gynd, known for his expressive and abstract landscape paintings, delves deep into the exploration of specific subjects through a 'long look,' manifesting a body of work that varies in vantage points and abstraction levels. This series, "Markers of Space and Time," centers on a constructed lake in an urban park, examining its 'natural' and architectural elements. The focal point of this exhibition is Hines Lake at the Clay Family Eastern Glades in Houston’s Memorial Park. Gynd, partly based in Houston, has spent the spring of 2024 creating plein air paintings at this award-winning, 100-acre Nelson Byrd Woltz designed park. His artistic process is meditative, reflected in the presentation of his works. The small, book-sized plein air oil paintings are displayed on cedar shelves, giving a sense of intimacy and introspection. Alongside these paintings, Gynd places small objects such as coins, rocks, or found jewelry, which serve as offerings or mementos, enhancing the personal connection to the artwork. The paintings in this series range from 10x8 inch plein air works to 4x3 foot gestural and abstract studio paintings on linen and canvas. Gynd's palette draws heavily from both art history and personal experience. Influences from artists like Emily Carr, Diego Rivera, Bob Thompson, Kerry James Marshall, Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin, Giotto, A.Y. Jackson, and Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun are evident. Gynd’s personal history as an artist, particularly his time as a glassblower, influences his bold use of colors such as pink, cobalt blue, and deep yellow. The exhibition title, "Markers of Space & Time," refers to the architectural structures present in each painting, resembling the large footings of ancient structures or the softened ruins of a past civilization. These elements, often depicted in bright pink and red, are viewed by Gynd as obelisks, monoliths, menhirs, or axis mundi—symbols of sacred ground connecting the past and the heavens. This composition, featuring a monolith-like object in the bottom right corner, also pays homage to Henri Matisse’s “The Piano Lesson” (1916), where a metronome serves as a visual anchor marking the rhythm and passage of time. Peter Gynd grew up in the coastal rainforests of western Canada and draws significant influence from nature in his paintings. His artistic practice over the past 16 years has focused on the landscape, exploring the connection between humanity and the natural world. Gynd’s approach raises questions about belonging, impact, and our role within the environment. Gynd's artistic journey began with studying old masters' oil painting and classical sculpture at the Vancouver Academy of Art and under the tutelage of his mother, painter Ursula Medley. He later pursued a BFA in Glassblowing from the Alberta College of Art and Design and an MFA in Painting from Brooklyn College. From 2011 to 2022, Gynd was based in New York City, where he held a studio in Bushwick, exhibited widely, and served as the director of Lesley Heller Gallery. His recent works focus on observational oil paintings created in locations across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. These colorful and optimistic paintings abstract the landscape and reflect on art's role as a form of meditation and connection to the divine. Gynd’s recent solo exhibitions include shows at the qathet Art Centre in Canada and the SPRING/BREAK Art Fair in LA. He was a teaching fellow at CUNY’s Brooklyn College in 2022 and currently splits his time between Houston, Texas, and qathet, British Columbia, Canada. The exhibition "Markers of Space and Time" offers a profound exploration of landscape, personal history, and artistic meditation. Visitors can expect an intimate and introspective experience, enhanced by Gynd's unique approach to painting and presentation. The exhibition will be on view through July 5, with the artist present for the Opening Reception on Friday, June 21, from 6–8 pm, and for an Artist Talk on Sunday, June 23, at 3 pm.

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Exhibitor: https://go.evvnt.com/2485354-0

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