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Operated by the Calgary Contemporary Arts Society
"The Epic Painter", R. Gyo-Zo Spickett |
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This retrospective exhibition profiles the art of Calgary-based artist R. Gyo-Zo Spickett, from the late 1940's to the late 1970's, during which time he made significant contributions to contemporary Canadian art. His theoretical interests extended the meaning and possibilities of figurative art beyond the literal confines of the studio into the broader context of contemporary society. He achieved this by evolving a style of painting that was based on the use of the figure as the vehicle/metaphor for interpreting the Condition Humaine - a style of painting that made use of the formal conventions of abstract art - the emotive use of colour, the expressive power of line, and the dynamics of space and composition. His study and composition. His study with the Mexican muralists and his affinity to the American social realists - Abraham Rattner, Jack Levine, Rico Lebrun - shaped his style and direction as well as understanding of the socio-political issues of the period. In addition to providing an overview of Spickett's art, the exhibition focuses on his epic paintings: The Rider Series of the 1960's and The Biblical Series of the 1970's. These paintings radicalized the conventions of studio based figure paintings in Canada and earned Spickett national and critical acclaim. Spickett's calligraphic and abstract paintings are also included in the exhibition to delineate his lifelong study of Eastern art and philosophy. The Exhibition is the first public presentation of Gyo-Zo Spickett's art since his retirement from the studio some 20 years ago and his subsequent ordination as a Zen (Zaike Tokudo) Buddhist. Many visitors to the Gallery will recognize his style from larger public works, such as the heroic mural in the Bowlen Building in Calgary. Others will be re-aquainted with the work of a friend and respected teacher, who has left a significant legacy to the visual arts in Canada. Jack
Malec Other Gallery Writings"
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view the R. Gyo-Zo Spickett online gallery, click here.
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Introduction
