SAAC welcomes Texas artist Curtis Graff and his larger-than-life exhibit entitled, “Identity Is in the Eye of the Beholder: 1990-2019”, currently on display in the Merkle and Price Galleries. This bold, surprising show is available for viewing now through November 22, 2019. An artist’s reception will be held on Friday, November 22, from 6:00-7:30pm on the closing day of the exhibit.
Stylistically, Graff primarily works with iconic yet mundane objects. “These objects are universal across every culture… flowers, chairs, bells, apples, etc.,” Graff says. “I find it easier to explore painterly ideas without worrying about the narrative or subjective aspects of a painting.”
Completed series of works include “Poppies” and “Chairs”. Currently, Graff is working on his “Heads Series”, paintings inspired by more than 500 Polaroid headshots and selfies taken from 1991-present. The 5’ x 5’ painting corresponds to the dimensions of a Polaroid.
Graff’s career in both architecture and art was evident early in his life, from his seventh grade journal entries to his propensity to draw and build at an early age. His work is influenced by his experiences, relationships, and interests ranging from missionary work, psychology classes, a soccer scholarship, a degree in architecture, years of designing/building projects, marriage, divorce, and family.
The diversity of his personal journey and the study of Carl Jung’s ideas regarding archetypes, have directly influenced his choices in subject matter, composition, and structure for his art.
Originally from Marshall, Texas, Graff, an artist, designer, and builder, with a degree in architecture, now resides in Athens, Greece. He has exhibited in numerous museums and many of his paintings are held in private collections across the United States.
For more information, please call the SAAC office at 870-862-5474.
