Plastic Adds Magic to Newest Silkscreens by Eugene Brodsky

New York, NY, October 27, 2011 --(PR.com)-- An exhibition of silkscreen and mixed media paintings by famed New York artist Eugene Brodsky opens on October 27, 2011, at the Sears-Peyton Gallery, 210 Eleventh Avenue, New York, New York. The solo exhibition, which will run through December 10, 2011, features a series of recent work that employs a novel silkscreen-on-plastic process developed by the artist.

For eight years, Brodsky gathered ephemeral images from his travels and day-to-day life to use in this current body of silkscreen paintings. Known for his ability to transform an ordinary image into a compelling snapshot of detail through a series of manipulations, Brodsky incorporated the transparent and reflective aspects of plastic to add what he describes as “some magic” to the finished pieces.

The artist used glass to carry an image in his previous silkscreen works, but sought an alternative medium because of its extreme fragility. Plastic proved to be an excellent substitute because it provides the same transformative effects as glass but will not chip or crack.

Maggie Oldham of E&T Plastics helped Brodsky choose the best plastic for this project. “He wanted a material that is transparent like glass but is much more durable,” Oldham said. “We recommended Sheffield’s Makrolon Polycarbonate because it is the premier choice for a clear plastic material that is high impact. It also accepts the paint used in silkscreening very well, which was another requirement by the artist.” Brodsky was satisfied with E&T’s material recommendation and said that Maggie was “a terrific resource who could not have been more helpful.”

Since this was the first time Brodsky used plastic in this way, he was challenged with developing new screening and assembly processes. “My solution was to make a graphic image, mirror it and silkscreen it on the inside of the plastic,” Brodsky explained. “Then I took aluminum clips to secure the plastic to a panel that was painted with oil paint. All of the information is screened onto the plastic, whereas the color and surface come from the painting underneath.”

Brodsky notes that the success of the project also hinged on careful coordination between the artist and all of his suppliers. “It was crucial that everything aligned perfectly so the finished piece came together the way I intended it to,” he said. His suppliers include E&T Plastics of Long Island City, New York, who provided the plastic sheets; panel maker Simon Liu Inc of Brooklyn, New York; silkscreen maker CRS International of Ridgefield, New Jersey; and Sy Ross, who developed and installed the aluminum clips.

The son of a painter, Eugene Brodsky was born in 1946 in New York City. He was influenced by his mother’s art at a young age and his childhood “heroes” were painters Franz Kline and Willem De Kooning. Brodsky has no formal art education. He majored in political Studies at George Washington University and then went to the New York Studio School for about ten days.

His distinctive style is derived from taking an image or a simple configuration of marks and transforming it through addition, subtraction, repetition and manipulation so they are “hopefully born again and given some new dignity and magic.” Brodsky’s accomplishments include two Guggenheim fellowships and multiple grants from organizations such as NEA and NYFA.

Visit Eugene Brodsky’s official website at http://www.eugenebrodsky.com to see more examples of his mixed media and silkscreen work.

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