2022 02 10Gregory Mortenson: The beauty and triumph of the human spirit – the Haitian seriesSmith library
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In response to COVID-19 concerns, seating is limited to 30 and masks are required
Please join us for a talk with artist Gregory Mortenson. He will be previewing a new series of art and discussing his exquisite painting techniques and methods. Come for an opportunity to meet the artist and have a conversation.
Greg has stated, “I was thinking of doing my talk on the Haitian series I made. I’ll discuss the earthquake that devastated Haiti, some of the people I met there, and some of the experiences that informed the paintings. I’ll also discuss using the painting studies and drawings made from life to create finished paintings back in my studio.”
Introduction by Liz Beard.
For those who can’t make it, this event will be recorded and posted on Salmagundi’s Youtube channel for viewing.
Gregory Mortenson is a classically trained artist known for his his arresting and emotive portraits of Haitian children. Shortly after completing his academic training Mortenson and his new wife were called on a humanitarian effort to Port au Prince to help reshape an orphanage that had been destroyed during the earthquake of 2010. Amongst the rubble of despair Mortenson came face to face with the paradox of tragedy. Moved by what he calls, “the beauty and triumph of the human spirit,” he set about making sketches of the children as they waited in hope for a new home and school. In 2013 he returned to Haiti, however this time, not to rebuild, but to teach art at an orphanage. During this time he was able to complete several additional figure studies which later informed his 2015 exhibition: Zion’s Children. A portion of the sales made from this exhibit have benefited the Hope for Life Children’s Home in Gressier, Haiti, allowing the community to continue in its growth.
Gregory Mortenson has gallery representation in California, Maine, Massachusetts and Tennessee and has exhibited in numerous group exhibitions and art fairs throughout the United States. He teaches portrait drawing and painting at Grand Central Academy, NY and offers a summer course at the Center for Academic Study and Naturalistic Painting in Springville, UT.