Solo Exhibition by Ron Hicks
August 3 – September 7
First Friday Reception August 3, 7-9pm
Artist lecture Saturday, August 4, 2pm
The Art Center is pleased to host Faces of Eve, a solo exhibition by master figure painter Ron Hicks. Hicks lives and operates his studio in Denver, Colorado, and is a former student of the Columbus College of Art and Design and the Colorado Institute of Art. This exhibition will feature approximately 20 works of oil on canvas.
Hicks’ paintings are reminiscent of academic impressionist painters of the 19th century, yet they communicate strong contemporary content. The hybridity of various painting styles is both refreshing and sophisticated. The combined approaches of representation and impressionism in his paintings make for a pleasant viewing experience. Hicks’ broad use of free, yet intentional, strokes form layers of crisp color married with muted grey tones. This approach enhances the dramatic atmospheric effects within the scenes.
The rendering of figures in their moments of intimacy seem frozen in time, giving the viewer a stolen glimpse of romantic encounters, often overlooked. Hicks uses a combination of models and backgrounds inspired by photographs from his travels. The figures are often adorned in garments that push the painting into the realm of nostalgia. Hicks’ pro-lithic works have established him as one of the top storytellers of the medium and contain a deep reservoir of emotion. His works continue to inspire and influence artists within the contemporary world of painting. Hicks states, “I can’t imagine not painting…not creating. If I’m not painting, creating, sharing my gift, and seeing beauty of life every day, then what’s the point? My work is not just what I do, it’s who I am.” We invite you to step into the world of beauty that Hicks creates with his exhibition.
Join us Saturday, August 4, 9-12pm and Sunday, August 5, 9-4pm for Unlikely Pairings: Paintings Across Disciplines, an interactive painting workshop with Ron Hicks exploring visual elements with a live model while covering multiple approaches to painting and the application of brushwork.