Press Release #37 May 2008 NEW HOPE SIDETRACKS ART GALLERY 2A STOCKTON AVENUE NEW HOPE, PA 18938 215 862 4586 newhopesidetrackscomcast.net nhsidetracks.com New Hope Sidetracks Art Gallery Presents: SOMETHING OUTSIDE: The Possible Worlds of Paul Graubard and André Gomes. May 17, 2008 through July 6, 2008 Artist Reception Saturday, May 17, 2008, 6-9 PM Something Outside, the new show opening Saturday, May 17 at New Hope Sidetracks Art Gallery is an invitation to the possible worlds envisioned by artists Paul Graubard and André Gomes. Outside is something of an insider’s word. Used in the contemporary art world, Outsider Art can refer to artwork as diverse as the colorful refrigerator finger painting of children, the imaginative and sometimes eerie drawings of mental patients and prisoners, the bold and challenging religious statements of visionaries, the symbolic paintings of the autistic, or the secretive fully formed alternative worlds of reclusive storytellers. In each case there is an untutored quality to the artwork, as well as a degree of obsession in the artist’s envisioning and creative energy. Some Outsider Artists remain almost totally unknown, while others have become so well known that they and their artworks are now as Inside and as valuable in the art marketplace as many another contemporary artist. Two annual national art shows, the Outsider Art Fair in Manhattan and the Intuit Show in Chicago, are responsible for much of this discovery and appreciation. The first Sidetracks artist, Paul Graubard of Lenox Massachusetts, is a retired psychologist who discovered the art world and his own talent when in his 60’s as a way out of paralyzing grief brought on by the death of his daughter. As a self-taught artist with somewhat zany themes and free-wheeling images, he has begun to make a name as an Outsider Artist—exhibiting for the last few years at the two art shows mentioned above. Paul’s hallmarks include ripped paper and acrylic collages, and a strong contrasting color sense.. Personal themes in his always optimistic world include graceful dancing, circus acts, cold arctic nights, Judaica, Bible stories (currently Samson and Delilah), and Paul Bunyan (imagine him eating a stack of pancakes in the snow!) Many individual collages and paintings combine several of his themes all at once. Paul introduces himself as a New Jersey native who spent his early school years reading, doodling and playing hooky, dropping out in the 10th grade to hitchhike around the country. After later going to college, marrying and settling down with his family in New York City, he worked as a teacher, professor and psychologist—always finding work that gave him the autonomy he craved. He believes that stumbling on art in his later years saved his well-being is not his life. His wife, Karen Chase, is a poet with several published volumes to her credit, including her most recent (2008) publication, Bear. His work has been featured at such venues as Church Street Gallery and Tanglewood Music Festival, both in Lenox, MA; The Outsiders in Cornwall Bridge, CT; Galerie Bonheur in St Louis, MO; and The Zetter Collection in Carlsbad, CA. The American Visionary Art Museum of Baltimore, MD, has his work both on current display and in its permanent collection. Paul will be joined for Something Outside by André Gomes from Hillside, New Jersey, who will be showing his carvings in wood and stone in his first-ever gallery exhibition. André, originally from Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, was influenced in his carving by his father before him, but remains self-taught with an intricate obsessive style all his own. He creates miniature worlds of wonder where all lines intersect, filled with repetitive patterns of cityscapes, steps and ladders, highlighted here and there with small precious or semi-precious gems and miniature carved figures. His cityscape influences include the Brazilian colonial city of Ouro Preto, neighboring Belo Horizonte. Materials for André’s carvings for the most part include found wood, sand clay and smooth clay, and small garden stones. His works over the past few months have begun to focus on new cloisonné-like paintings on board, outlined by ordinary staples and colored with artist-mixed paints. The works to be shown at Sidetracks span an 8-year period of intense artistic activity. Something Outside, continuing through July 6 at Sidetracks Gallery, invites everyone inside these two creative “possible and positive” worlds. Gallery Artists whose work will be also represented during this exhibition include Jane Henry, Rachel Friedberg, Norma Holt, Selina Trieff, Yvonne Love, Marc Deasy, Leah K. Tomaino, Elizabeth Miller McCue, Betty Jacobsen, Jefferson Hayman, Charles DeVigne, Janet Bishop, McWillie Chambers, Diane Koss and vintage works from the estate of Jack Rosen. New Hope Sidetracks Art Gallery is located in the New Hope Arts Center, 2A Stockton Avenue, where Bridge Street and the New Hope-Ivyland Railroad intersect, neighboring El Taco Loco Restaurant. Celebrating Second Saturdays in New Hope 5PM - 9PM. Gallery Hours: Sunday, Monday & Thursday 11AM - 6PM, Friday 11AM - 7PM. Saturday 11AM - 9PM Celebrating Second Saturdays in New Hope 5PM - 9PM. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday. 215 862 4586 www.nhsidetracks.com newhopesidetrackscomcast.net