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John R. Palmer
Escapism
Michael Roco
Wings of Hope
June 5 - June 29, 2008
Opening reception Thursday, June 5, 6 - 8pm
John Palmer’s art, and his path, are free, full of light and alive with energy and movement. From all of his creations, the collector can discern a two or three dimensional extension of his personality. The moment one takes a step into Palmer’s chic gallery and studio, he or she enters a fresh, vibrant universe.
An artist, however talented, requires knowledge of technique as a means of harnessing that talent. Palmer has honed his distinctive technique through his love of travel, with art exploration and study in all corners of the world, including Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Montreal, Florence, Athens, Tokyo, Mexico, Cape Town and Paris. Palmer’s most renowned experience in this vein was studying in Florence, Italy at the Santa Reparata International School of Art with Professor Philip Rubinov Jacobson. As Professor Jacobson describes, “John is sometimes figurative, but also abstract, also expressionistic and also uses word and image together…John is free.”
Palmer believes that education, combined with hard work, is the key to his success and artistic evolution. He is now represented in galleries across the United States and abroad and has been featured in local and regional magazines such as Houston Business Journal, ArtsHouston and Southwest Art Magazine.
Palmer has only just launched his artistic and emotional course. The journey is certain to be vibrant, exciting and full of energy…….very much like the artist himself.
John R. Palmer
Untitled
Mixed Media on Wooden Box
60x40x2
Personal history and iconography play a key role in Michael Roco’s sculptural work. He is a first generation Filipino artist, with strong ties to the culture of his family. Michael's Philippine ancestry is a mix of Spanish, Asian/Chinese and native island cultures directly impacting and resulting in his unique style
He incorporates images and artifacts from his life experience to create sculptures and tableaus that make an unmistakable statement about nature. Many Filipino legends refer to the spirit world and its manifestations in plants, animals and forces of nature. His sculptures have almost an ikanbano feel yet are alive, rich and luxurious as Rococo. He strives to define his subject matter, transform and stylize it to promote a parallel between experimentation and creation to establish a close relationship between thought and matter.
Michael uses Glass and Metal to portray sensual texture, playfulness, power, and man’s connection to his environment. He works within a continuum of sculpture to express the duality of human liberation. He is impressed and influenced by natural curiosities in their variety. His passion for rare and unusual plants, animals, sea creatures, etc. is often intermingled in his sculptures. Fascination with glass, light, water and organic shapes play a key role in his blown works. These are expressed in fountains, chandeliers, and candelabras and fluid forms.
Michael Roco
Hope
Glass/Forged Steel/Enamel
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