Allen M. Hart's Metamorphosis
At the Upstream Gallery in Dobbs Ferry, New York
By: Adam Zucker - Jun 16, 2009
May 28 - June 21, 2009
Upstream Gallery
26B Main Street, Dobbs Ferry, New York
The spiritual painter, Allen M. Hart has explored the physical world for nearly nine decades. He made early sojourns to Mexico where he connected with the artists Ignacio Aguerre, Pablo Higgins, Mendez, and Siqueros. The painter says he felt at home there and had a deep respect and admiration for indigenous people. After meeting his wife Mildred, in 1952 at his solo show at the Roosevelt House on East 65th Street, the couple traveled extensively. They settled in Spain and traveled throughout Europe and North Africa. He has had solo exhibitions in Europe, Mexico and North America. Currently, he is part of the artist collective Upstream Gallery in Dobbs Ferry, the venue for Hart's solo show: Recent Work - Metamorphosis. It is on view through June 21.
The opening reception was packed. The artist filled the gallery with familiar imagery of animals. Crows and ravens take on a mystical role forewarning us of something dramatic to come. They are like deities both benevolent and cruel. Like many of his bestiaries they reflect the human condition.
The best example in the show is the large painting "Pretending to Pretend" (2007) where we see literary brilliance meet artistic greatness. The painting contains the raven with a crimson red eye that stares deeply at us. Then he adds lines from a short poem: "We spread our arms like winged birds and we flew around the garden."
Throughout his black drawing books are very personal works. He combines emotional and expressive imagery with collage, quotes, and poetry. On a page taken from his journal and posted onto canvas titled "Graffiti Wall" the artist jots thoughts that flow unreservedly from his mind. He quotes Beckett, just one of his poetic influences, and relays opinions on the end of the world, childhood, and the state of the art scene. Hart's most poignant statement on the latter is that "nowadays everyone seems to be an artist."
That may be so with the current stagnant wave of Post-Modernism that has prevailed since the late seventies. Allen M. Hart however, has stayed true to his artistic mandate and hasn't let the trends of the art market shape his progression. Hart's work keeps getting more expressive, and powerful.
At the opening reception the artist sat in the back of the gallery beside a large, recent self-portrait. The likeness is unmistakable; his presence is as radiant and alive as the colors on his canvases. Hart was recently honored by the Children's Aid Society, where he directed the Visual Arts Center and taught painting and drawing for thirty years (1969-99). The organization has just named a gallery in his honor.