Paul Goodnight: "Imagination to Application" Artist Reception

From April 20, 2018 - 01:52 PM
to April 22, 2018 - 10:00 PM
Art for the Soul Gallery
1500 Main Street
01103, Springfield

Renowned African American Artist Paul Goodnight

Presents debut exhibit, “Imagination to Application”

at Art for the Soul Gallery in Springfield,MA

“I’ve learned that art is making me, rather than me creating it.”

Paul Goodnight

 (Springfield, MA…)   For the first time in nine years renowned artist Paul Goodnight is exhibiting his incredible works in New England and will be available to meet the public at Art for the Soul Gallery at Tower Square on Saturday, April 21, 2018 for a special Meet the Artist Reception from 3 - 6 pm. Goodnight’s newest exhibit, and his first show of 2018, entitled “Imagination to Application”, will be on exhibit at Art for the Soul Gallery from April 21 - June 30, 2018.

When asked what inspired this new “Imagination to Application” body of works, Goodnight explained, “We all have an imagination. We all have the ability to apply or execute that imagination.  But it is a process, and it is a process that you have to learn in such a way that helps you to understand the process.  You never catch up with your imagination.” This new show will feature black and white as well as color images created in oils.  Goodnight says that some of the images have a specific message and story to tell, and some are stylistically challenging.

Paul Goodnight  -- Visionary artist who documents humanity across generations via the lense of culture

Paul Goodnight one of the most celebrated African American artists in the world has chronicled the depth of the human spirit since the 1970s.Paul Goodnight’s vibrant and emotional work has often been a reflection of his life--from the demons he faced during the Vietnam War to the time he was incarcerated  “I’ve learned that art is making me, rather than me creating it.”  His creative efforts are nurtured and inspired by several local artists, like Allan Rohan Crite and Dana Chandler.  Goodnight had a close relationship with Master African-American artist and mentor John Biggers (1924-2001), who carved the path many contemporary black artists.

Goodnight has developed his own unique aesthetic philosophy to document the humanity of people around the world.  He often incorporates African themes and symbols to provide depths of history and culture. Goodnight and his images have been highly sought after by industries and individuals as noted below:

--Television/Film: His images are featured in television and film. His first break came in 1982 when a print was selected for "The Cosby Show" and he continues to receive acclaim and recognition today for works in Seinfeld, Arliss, Jackie Brown, The Cosby Show, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, the movie “Ghost” and the Hughleys to name a few. 

--Publications: Goodnight has been featured in numerous publications such as Architectural Digest, Ebony, Essence, People Magazine and the Boston Globe.

--Personal Collections: His works are amongst the collections of such notables as Maya Angelou, Wesley Snipes, Samuel Jackson, Angela Basset, Judith Jamison, Victoria Rowell, and NBA hall-of-famer Isaiah Thomas.

-Museums: His work has been exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts, The Museum of the National Center of African American Artists and the Smithsonian. 

--Olympics/Sports: He has been the recipient of many achievements and awards such as receiving a commission for the 1996 Olympics, The U.S. Sports Academy Artist of the Year Award in 1997, and the World Cup Soccer Poster of 1998. Goodnight was selected as the American Sport Art Museum and Archives' 1997 Sport Artist of the Year.  

-International: Most recently, Goodnight exhibited in St. Crois, US Virgin Islands in 2017.  He has studied and traveled extensively to different parts of the world, living among the people of Russia, China, Haiti, Nicaragua, Africa and Brazil.

 Goodnight, who is a native of New London, CT, last exhibited in New England in his hometown in 2009.   The “Imagination to Application” exhibit at Art for the Soul Gallery will be his first 2018 show. According to Goodnight there are three objectives of art:  art should move you, it should challenge you and it should entertain you.  He says if you can create all three, then you have captured your audience, regardless of the art form.

Art for the Soul Reception is open and free to the community

Both the Meet the Artist Reception on April 21st, and visiting the show at Art for the Soul Gallery are FREE and open to the public.  The reception sponsors are William and Linda Gibson, who will be providing an ice cream social at the event.

Art for the Soul Gallery is located on the second floor of Tower Square at 1500 Main Street, Springfield, MA. For additional information contact Art for the Soul Gallery at 413-231-4598 or art4thesoul.org. This exhibition is made possible by the support of the Springfield Cultural Council a local agency, funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

http://www.art4thesoul.org/events-2/