20 North Gallery Presents “Richard Reed: Proximity & Vantage Point” Exhibit

20 North Gallery proudly announces the opening of Richard Reed: Proximity & Vantage Point, an exhibit of vibrant oil and gouache paintings by native-Ohio artist Richard Reed.  The exhibit begins with a Free Opening Reception on Thursday, September 23^rd from 6 to 9p.m. — and will continue through Saturday, October 30^th.

The exhibition consists of local and national landscape scenes, figure studies and narrative imagery. Reed states, “My work seeks to express psychological intimacy while exploring the challenges of physical distance.  To achieve this, I use images of family nostalgia, dramatic vistas and symbolic iconography.”  The subject matter of the exhibited paintings blends historic images of Americana with bold, contemporary abstraction.  In keeping with this theme, Proximity & Vantage Point at 20 North Gallery is his first solo exhibit in the 21^st century.

 Richard Reed enjoyed a rural upbringing in Marion County, Ohio before attending the Columbus College of Art & Design and the Kansas City Art Institute.  Later, he extended his artistic studies with printmaker Peter Elloian and sculptor Dale Eldred.  In the 1960’s, Reed began his career in fine art, balanced with his professional work as an architectural illustrator, which brought him to Toledo in the 1970’s.  Since his retirement from architectural illustration in the 1990’s, Reed has focused exclusively on fine art painting in his downtown studio.

 In his paintings, he cites the artistic influences of Old Master painters Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Michelangelo and contemporary painters Anselm Kiefer, David Hockney and Chuck Close.  Through this appreciation for creative influence from other artists, Reed has actively promoted the “artist colony” concept in his downtown space. 

Mr. Reed has been a regular participant in the Toledo Area Artists Exhibit held annually at the Toledo Museum of Art, frequently receiving distinction for his work— including several 1^st and 2^nd awards as well as Best of Show.   He is a frequent exhibitor at commercial galleries and community exhibitions, with his work included in numerous local and regional private collections.

20 North Gallery will be welcoming friends and collectors at the Free Opening Reception on Thursday, September 23^rd, from 6 - 9p.m., as part of the Art Walk Downtown Gallery Hop.  Visitors to 20 North Gallery will enjoy light refreshments and the opportunity to meet and speak with the artist.

Photo Gallery

( Click on any photo to start the slide show )