Exhibition at Putney Art School ….. November-December 2012
This was group show with three friends whom I met when we were all part time students at the School. The others being Abi lipski, Judith Hayes and Suzanne de Emmony We all went on the graduate from colleges of the University of the Arts, London, in 2011 and 2012. We began as oil on canvas painters although Abi is the only one who has stuck religiously to this medium. Judith became a photographer and has now become a sculptural installation artist and Suzanne is a print maker/painter/photographer. I guess I still paint but on steel, granite, wood and hardboard and use a variety of mediums including collage,minerals and processes like scorching to enhance my work .
The opening reception was like a reunion with over 100 friends from our time at Putney and some new guests. A very relaxed evening with a 3 week show to follow.
Proud Grand-Dad and Grand-daughter, Jasmine, at opening.
Fellow artists, Judith Hayes, Suzanne de Emmony, Abi Lipski and yours truly.
Two of my featured works from my "Man's Devastation of the Earth" Series
Guests at the opening reception including my wife , Avril, on the left.
Pathway to Abstraction
Exhibition at Agora Gallery in Chelsea, New York City, December 2012 – January 2013.
The title of this group show, Pathway to Abstraction, could not be more apposite for me. I have been treading this path for the last 6 years, it ain’t easy but a wonderful challenge. To be asked to participate was an honour and a huge surprise.
Given my short background as an artist, this was a surreal experience. I’d been to New York over 100 times so the place was very familiar. But to go there as an artist exhibiting at a well known and long established gallery was weird. No-one, least of all me would or could have predicted that even a year ago. For the days running up to the event and the two days following I was in a daze………….nothing could have prepared me for that…………..and I was somewhat overwhelmed. For those who know me that’s unusual to say the least.
The gallery was extremely impressive and professional in the way they treated and promoted their artists. There are some links below worth looking at.
I showed two works on canvas and art from my “Abstractions of Man’s Environmental Destruction” Series, on scorched hardboard with heavy collage and mixed media. They all relate and are inspired by my concern for the environment and the effects of climate change.
Over 200 guests came for the opening, including some friends from the UK, Manhattan itself and Washington DC. It was a very different feel from a London opening, not the least because it was on a Thursday when dozens of Galleries in Chelsea and SoHo also open their doors. Thus people take in as many galleries as they can on the night. Sales are rare at or before openings again unlike London. Buyers come back. The show is on till 12th January. Here’s hoping for a sell out!!
The gallery’s main web site is www.agora-gallery.com
Navigating it is easy and if you go to Exhibitions you can see reception photos and videos and also past exhibitions (if you see it before 12/1/2013 it will of course be current)
If you go to Resources and then ARTmine and search for Michael Freedman you will get my web pages with their write ups and promotion materials, somewhat dramatic but who cares?
With Jess Rutterford, a fellow student at Wimbledon College of Art and Design, then working in New York.
Just before opening reception alongside two works, "Red Road" and "Cyanide Lake".
Discussing my processes with guests.
With Avril in front of works from "Abstractions of Man’s Environmental Destruction" Series