Yellow Cabs may be disappearing in cities across the world, but they are driving into our gallery and right into Gordon’s striking work!
Towers and Spires | 18” x 12” | Oil on Paper | Inquire.
Yellow Cabs on the Street | 24” x 18 3/4” | Oil on Stretched Canvas | Inquire.
Spires of Manhattan | 16” x 12” | Oil on Paper | Inquire.
Gordon Binder’s first solo show at the Studio Gallery is Urban Uprising.
The show statement reads:
"My sketchbook is ever at the ready, one or another drawing the inspiration for a painting. Some of my paintings are based on actual places, others are imaginary or abstracted from what I see around me in what I call an expressionist style, somewhere on the spectrum between realism and abstraction. I align with the painters of “modern life,” observing and recording through my art some part of the visual experiences of city living.”
New York City Skyline (from Central Park) | 11” x 14” | Oil Paint on Print, Aluminum Backing | Inquire.
Binder studied architecture at the University of Michigan, which explains his fascination with cityscapes and urban scenes. “I draw and paint what I see around me. My urban scenes – abstracted and imaginary – feed on the skylines and bustle of major cities, the tall spires, shop windows, street trees, and other familiar features,” says Binder. His current exhibition features the iconic yellow cab in New York City streets, striking views of the Chicago skyline, the DuPont Circle fountain in all its glory, and Sao Paolo’s skyline.
There is one particular piece that stood out to me from Gordon’s new show. New York City Skyline (from Central Park) is the only piece in the exhibit that is on an aluminum backing. This piece draws the viewer in with its sleek buildings and greenery in the bottom half of the composition depicting Central Park. What is so enticing about this work is the way it shimmers in the light. I can’t help but be reminded of the way light reflects off of the towering skyscrapers on a sunny day in the Big Apple. This feeling evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing to wander around Central Park looking at these views that are so well captured by Binder. Gordon’s use of semi-abstraction allows the viewer to project whatever city they have been dreaming of visiting onto his platform. A really unique feature of Gordon’s exhibition is how his works are displayed within their frames. His pieces meet the bottom of the frame, allowing the viewer to be invited into the cityscape, to follow the yellow taxis down the never ending road.
The way this exhibition is hung allows the viewer to circumambulate around the first floor, as if they’re walking a few blocks down a city street, taking in the sights of the tall buildings and fast paced taxi cabs racing by. If you haven’t done so, be sure to come in and check out Gordon Binder’s show, Urban Uprising, for a truly immersive experience.
Urban Uprising is on display until December 1, 2018. | Artist’s Reception - Nov. 17, 4-6pm. | Closing Reception - Dec. 1, 4-6pm.
From Staff Contributor Sophia Maitino