Two Views of the Moon by Gregory Parascenzo

ART EXHIBIT RECEPTION

Opening reception for Two Views of the Moon, by Gregory Parascenzo. Exhibit runs from Nov 9–Dec 21.

Artist's Statement

I really like painting…

Fleeting, flickering and obtuse

as the sweeping strokes of ink

paper and brush, or paint if you like.

Transcending time and perceptions

open to and in need of: myth, imagination

or an explanation… Leaving it to wonder

how many times each of us looked to find

less universal than a personal meaning

to that which had no need, other than appreciation…


There’s a certain sense of being content and then challenged by each brush stroke, each color choice, each design maneuver. It’s quite the thing to sit back and gaze into one’s own painting. The act of seeing emerges beside the lines and contrasts, shadows and foreground. The best thing is alteration. Endless in its potential, one move demands another until the unforeseen emerges out of process; probable or not, doesn’t matter.

There’s also a love of using unconventional materials, collage, found objects and collaborative efforts. Some pieces combine elements which in sequence are related ie. tree branch to luan board to paper. There’s nothing new with painting on or making with recycled materials. It’s all about the process. Cardboard boxes fascinate my imagination and tear ever so unnaturally ~leaving much to chance and little to manipulation. As you will see this ‘Two Views of the Moon’ exhibit includes some of these attempts. Topic wise the themes of falling/flying, myth, heroes, Native American imaginations, animal totems, saints and portraiture figure strongly. Some are simple abstractions, others more figurative, and yet others imaginative…

All of this stems from an innocent sense of wonder. The aesthetics, color and light, seen spilling over a landscape, an umbrella illuminated in a sun shower or windowsill shadowed with tree leaves. The rhythm of language, its depth and nuance, a love of laughter, songs which still the Heart, a piece of paper blown crazy by the whispers of the wind, all things which evoke a sense of wonder or humor… These I carry on the inside, cloaked in mystery and poetries wound round my heART.

Artist's Bio
Any and all relative bearing or similarity between myself and a certain gP is currently a matter of fiction, conjecture, necessity and/or personal confusion. Having been a resident observer of obscure cities and desert wastelands; Chicago, Berlin, Wien, Schloss Broelin, & SLC, he can attest to such claims (see website: parascenzoart.com for details). As the case may be, no one knows for certain who they’re related to or where they are from; who they will become and who indeed they are at any given moment in our shared time and space continuum. Yet here we are. There may be an inclination to explore the myth guided ways of the mendicant bandiloop nagpas (Buddhist jesters) whom I do believe “gP” to be acquainted with and having befriended them, privy to their mischiefs… but once again we digress.

All wisecracks and jests aside, thank you for being here and please enjoy this exhibit of painted paper/plywood/panels/torn cardboard, and other recently discarded found objects as fine art!

~with Gratitude and Appreciation~ gP

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