"Paintings," the annual exhibit of paintings and drawings by artist and Penn State New Kensington professor of visual arts Charles W. "Bud" Gibbons, is set to open May 1 and will run until May 30 in the Art Gallery on the Upper Burrell campus.
More than 50 paintings will be on display, including 30 pieces from Gibbons' 2007 trip to China. The China artwork has never been shown in public. Landscapes of the changing seasons dominate the exhibit and the states of New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, New York and Florida, as well as the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are represented.
The centerpiece of the display is Gibbons' "Three Graces," a 58-inch by 86-inch oil on canvas, that was on display for two months in the fall at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh. The work was a part of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh's 99th annual exhibition.
Gibbons' painting is an interpretation of the classical graces of faith, hope and charity that are represented by women. The artist's contemporary three graces are vigilance, enterprise and prosperity that are represented by men. The three figures in the painting are facing forward, backward and sideways, a traditional format to demonstrate the three views of the figure.
"The positioning of the figures is reminiscent of many paintings through history titled 'The Three Graces' by many artists, most notably Raphael," said Gibbons. "The organization of the painting is similar to Jacques-Louis David's 'Oath of the Horatii' painted in 1784."
The artist added a separate figure, representing the keeper of the underworld, to monitor the three virtues.
"The Hades figure is off by himself as an observer and not as an active participant," Gibbons said.
The four subjects are standing in front of a brick wall that has a "Drink Coca-Cola" advertisement painted on its facade. Gibbons incorporated graffiti on the wall as a tribute to past artists.
"To honor Jacques-Louis, the graffiti includes the words 'Oath' and 'Horatii'," said Gibbons. "As a nod to the great graffiti artist Basquiat, I added his signature crown, 'moon king'."
Penn State New Kensington art students Christian Miller, Josh Nosbisch, Zac Eiseman and Bob Adams served as models for the piece.
An artist's reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 28, in the campus gallery. The exhibit and reception are free to the public. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.