Art Gutkin explores the boundaries of abstraction through a process fueled by rhythm, emotion, and the unscripted movement of paint. A self taught artist and former trial attorney, Art has moved away from the structured logic of the legal world to embrace a creative practice defined by intuition and sensory release.
At the core of his world is his signature “Surge” technique. This method of dripping and pouring acrylics allows the paint to move with a fluid, visceral energy, mirroring the unpredictable forces found in nature. Distinct from this fluid movement is his use of the palette knife, which introduces a sculptural tactile dimension to many of his canvases.
By keeping these two techniques separate yet harmonious, Art often creates a dynamic tension between the ethereal flow of the pour and the physical world of the impasto in many of his works.
The primary conductor of this work is classical music. As the compositions unfold, Art translates auditory crescendos into physical surges of color. While the music often elicits the essence of vibrant landscapes, it most often evokes the vibrant, tumultuous persona of nature.
Art’s work remains rooted in the abstract, notwithstanding the subject matter, prioritizing the “action” and the emotional resonance of the music over literal representation. Now a member of the Foundry Art Gallery, Art invites viewers to engage with his art as a living record of sound, motion, and the vivid surging beauty of the human experience.
