Abstract Expressionist James Brooks Featured
at Hillwood Art Museum - New
Exhibit Opens February 7
January 13, 2000 - The fluid, rhythmic style of expressionist
painter James Brooks will be featured at the Hillwood Art Museum
on the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. "James
Brooks Revisited: American Abstract Artist" will run
from February 7 to April 2, 2000, and opens with a reception
on February 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission to both the exhibit
and reception is free.
Brooks, a legend in American art, studied at the Dallas Art
Institute before moving to New York City in 1926. While working
as a commercial artist, he was able to support evening art studies
at the Art Students League. In the 1930s, Brooks began to work
as an American scene painter and was later employed as a muralist
on the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project.
It was during this period that he created a mural for the International
Marine Terminal at LaGuardia Airport that was 12 feet, 3 inches
high and 235 feet long - part of which will be reproduced at
this exhibition.
After serving in the military during World War II, Brooks
resumed painting, turning to synthetic Cubism. His ensuing friendship
with Jackson Pollack eventually led to his development of a more
fluid, rhythmic style of abstraction; his fame today rests largely
on this body of work.
According to Barry Stern, Director of the Hillwood Art Museum,
the exhibit provides a comprehensive view of Brooks' works.
"We are proud to honor James Brooks' important contribution
to American Abstract Expressionism," said Professor Stern.
"His works, which span the largest part of the 20th Century,
offer an excellent perspective on this unique genre."
The Hillwood Art Museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday from 9:30 a.m.
to 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission to the museum is free; the public is invited to all
events. For more information please contact the museum at (516)
299-4073 or via e-mail: museum@hornet.liu.edu
The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is located
on Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville.
