January 21 - February 23, 2017
Alex Beck
Richmond, Virginia
When I was young, my mother read a story to me. It was Dr. Seuss’ What Was I Scared of...and I was terrified. Partly inspired by his ghostly “Pale Green Pants” —eerily taking shape with nothing inside or no one wearing them— this show explores attitudes of a similarly strange concept: seeing fabric or paper as a malleable ‘skin’. These paintings follow that idea and either complete or take a subject’s form.
Fear is familiar and relatable to everyone, but hope is often absent in our lives. However, this collection is an effort to lighten what’s fearful: to play with an otherworldly horror, poke fun and laugh at fear, focus on its overlooked awkwardness, call attention to its absurdity in form and appearance, and thusly find hope.
Artist Bio:
Alex Beck is an award-winning painter and illustrator who maintains a studio in Richmond, Virginia. Known for his uncommonly versatile work in oil, acrylic, and gouache, he's had his images appear in S Moda, The Paris Exchange, Whurk Magazine, Arlington Magazine, Spectrum Fantastic Art Annual #19, Creative Quarterly, and showcased at the both the LA & NY Society of Illustrators.
Previous to his fine art career, Beck’s work experience includes working as a concept/production artist for the Oscar/Emmy-winning animation house, Moonbot Studios and production work for Myachi Entertainment, The Design Center, and Tervis Tumbler.
Beck was formally trained at Ringling College of Art and Design. He also expanded his training at the Illustration Academy in Kansas City, Missouri, The Masters Class at Amherst, Massachusetts, and The Art League of Alexandria, Virginia where he has previously been a teacher.