JUNE
As I See It
Al
Phillips, Pyramid Atlantic artist
June 1
through July 12, 2014
Reception: Friday, June 6,
2014, 6:30 to 8:30pm
“As I See It” is a diverse set of illustrations and paintings showcasing the work of Silver
Spring artist Al Phillips. This exhibit offers us a nostalgic trip through time, honoring select
historical and cultural events and personalities inspired by America's recent
history.
The images, chosen from his large collection of works, represent a
passionate life dedicated to art - from the artist’s days as a young struggling
artist working the night shift as a janitor, through his esteemed career as a
newspaper illustrator, during his post retirement days living with Parkinson’s
disease, until present day. The exhibit includes political, conceptual, sports and pop
culture illustrations that were originally used throughout sections of three
major newspapers. These visual editorials reflected Al’s viewpoint and were
conveyed by a wide variety of artistic approaches. They played a
significant role as a visual partner to conceptual and analytical news
articles, as a vehicle for editorial opinion and as part of the newspaper’s
identity. This collection of drawings showcases Al's talent for capturing
the character of his subjects, while simultaneously providing valuable visual
documentation of newsworthy people and events. Noted personalities
included in the exhibit include: Martin Luther King, Michael Jordan, Woody
Allen, Nelson Mandela, Elvis, Bill Clinton, John Thompson, Janet Reno, Andrew
Weil, Whoopi Goldberg among others.
The show captures how Al Phillips, as an illustrator, was able
to document, evoke, amuse, question and tell a story while always keeping his
audience in mind. “Artwork gives
newspapers a different feel compared to photographs. When the newspaper
wanted something special for a story they would often choose art over
photographs as we could accentuate colors and exaggerate certain aspects of the
image”. This is evident in Al’s illustration of Michael Jordan drawn
as if he is flying through the air while viewers are unable to see where the
ground is.
Al particularly enjoyed creating symbolic art which combines
images in order to infuse meaning. Sometimes these pieces were
controversial in nature. The show includes one such illustration titled Jesse
Helms versus Education which is based in a Normal Rockwell setting.
Al initially had Jesse Helms portrayed in the mirror as Bozo the Clown which
his editors thought too provocative. Al, although in disagreement, replaced
the clown figure with a stick figure as a symbol of the character’s
simple-mindedness.
Viewers will also see a sample of Al’s extensive collection of
architectural illustrations. “Architectural
art has been a way of saving my soul over the years. In the beginning I did
line drawings of houses because I was surrounded by beautiful architecture in
Chicago and I wanted to eventually have a career as an artist. Now, due
to my Parkinson’s disease, I need to draw simpler shapes so I have more control
of my hand. Over time I have figured out ways that I can still draw a
straight line even with my tremors.”
Al titled the show “As I See It” to capture the essence of him
being an active artist over six decades and drawing and painting up until this
day. As Al states, “Life is
exciting and I always have new projects in my mind. I am constantly finishing
up projects I have started”.
Artist Bio
Born
in 1933, Al Phillips grew up in rural Indiana and began illustrating and
painting at a very early age. Despite having Parkinson’s disease since 1998, Al
continues to illustrate and paint to this day. In the mid 1970’s, until his retirement
in the late 1990’s, Al worked as an illustrator for three print newspapers, one
of which had a readership of 300,000 people – the Chicago Daily News, Chicago
Sun Times and the Charlotte Observer. Everything he created while working at
these newspapers had a headline and usually an accompanying article. He was
recognized as one of the best illustrators in the country, winning five awards,
over the years, from the society of newspaper designers. “I learned
how to use my imagination constructively for my work…..and how to make graceful
illustrations. “ In addition to illustration, Al invented an art toy called
ArtBlocks© whose purpose was to encourage non-artists to make art.
Artblocks©, 16 blocks of wood with geometric shapes, has been sold at museums
and gift stores throughout the United States. Al has a Bachelor’s Degree in
Fine Arts (1955) and a Master’s Degree in painting, graphics and print making
(1962). Al now lives with his daughter Kendra, and her wife Julie,
in Silver Spring Maryland. To contact Al Phillips please call 301-588-1934 or email
allanphillips33 at gmail.com.
