Queens Botanical Garden is pleased to announce the opening of Alan Richards’ exhibit, “Get The Picture?” on Tuesday, February 4th, in the Gallery of the Visitor & Administration Building.
An audiologist by profession, Mr. Richards has always been involved in art and design and has produced artworks in various media for many years. While his earlier works were done in ink and watercolors, his interest in computers and design led him to create composite images (photomanipulations) from multiple images. These composites often take on a surrealistic feel. His goal as an artist is to turn mundane events into unique images that tell a story.
Mr. Richards sees his artwork as an extension of his inner feelings, representing his view of events and people around him, “things that I see that are ridiculous or inane, social trends and societal warped values, getting older, media hyperbole, and a whole host of other things irking and wonderful.” He believes the satirical pieces best portray his feelings. Humorous, whimsical, and sometimes bizarre, he hopes viewers will appreciate the story, the message, and the humor of his works.
“My favorite painters are Rene Magritte and Edward Hopper. So, whether by design or personality, the works appear to either depict quirky scenes, or those of solitude…or a combination of both.”
Mr. Richards has been the featured artist at Manhattan Arts International and has shown his work at St. Paul the Apostle Church Gallery, Brooklyn Waterfront Artist’s Coalition and other New York galleries as well as venues in Maryland and California. His work will next be exhibited at the Port Washington Public Library
“Get the Picture?” will be on display from Tuesday, February 4th through Sunday, May 4th, 2014. Garden admission is free until April 1st and the exhibit can be viewed Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 8am to 4pm. From April 1st through May 4th, Tuesdays to Sundays, the exhibit can be seen from 8am until 5:30pm. It is free with Garden admission ($4 adults, $3 seniors and $2 for students and children 3-12). For more information, please contact Darcy Hector at (718) 886-3800, ext. 330 or dhector@queensbotanical.org.