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December 2022

Ad Astra ~ Higher Aspirations

Philip Gerstein

 

[Epigraph]

"...Yes, she will rise --

The star of captivating happiness."

~ Pushkin "To Chaadaev"

 

"All men have stars,

but they are not the same things for different people.

For some, who are travelers, the stars are guides..."

~ Exupéry "Le Petit Prince"

 

Ad Astra = to the stars <-- can there be a higher aspiration for an Earth-bound human?..  Well, how about a chance to escape the gravity well vicariously?.. in this case, via the November exhibition at gallery Lichtundfire on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I had the pleasure of participating in their very well selected 7th Anniversary show entitled INTERSTELLAR -- Between Stars . Raised as I was on science fiction and humanity's first steps in space travel, I found the theme of this show simply irresistible!

 

Gerstein_Irresistible-2

"Irresistible", 24 x 36 in. (61 x 91 cm),
Oil stick, acrylic & textural media on wood panel, 2021

 

Fortunately, I have a number of paintings that fit this theme extremely well.

 

These paintings sparkle with both the expected and exotic painting materials -- glitter, pigment, lacquer, and at least 3 types of textural media, alongside acrylic and oil stick -- avidly mirroring the night sky of our imagination!

 

Let the fireworks of our childhood carry us skyward!

 

Gerstein_Evening-with-the-B

"Evening with the Boys",  36 x 36 in. (91 x 91 cm), Oil stick, acrylic,
pigment, glitter, lacquer, & mixed textural media on wood panel, 2018

 

Gerstein_5-steps-to-happine

"5 Steps to Happiness",  18 x 18 in. (46 x 46 cm),  Oil stick,
acrylic, glass beads & mixed media on wood panel, 2018

 

Gerstein_Listen & Ye Shall Hear (31x40) adj

"Listen and Ye Shall Hear", 31 x 40 in. (79 x 102 cm),
Oil stick, acrylic, pigment & mixed textural media on canvas, 2016

 

Written at Lichtundfire gallerist's request, here is my brief Artist Statement for INTERSTELLAR:

    My work is expansive, not reductive -- even when minimalist.

    Emotions are tangled in surface textures, in the undeniable impression of depth, of breadth -- of quiet or potent space.

    Color is my guiding star.

    These paintings are a temporal journey from emotion to emotion, saturated with color.

 

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PG_by_DavidLeeBlack-cr
Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, Philip Gerstein began exhibiting his work in the 1980's, while pursuing a PhD in Art History at Harvard University. He studied painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Japanese calligraphy with Toshu Ogawa. Gerstein exhibits in NYC, Provincetown MA, and extensively in the Boston area, as well as organizing and curating painting and photography shows. His work has been reviewed, reproduced and praised in many publications, including The Boston Globe, ArtScope Magazine, and Art New England. For his other work in Scene4, check the Archives

©2022 Philip Gerstein
©2022 Publication Scene4 Magazine

 

 

 

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