Open Studio Mini Retrospective and the Aparecidos

Hey Brian Carlson blog fans (pro or con). This Friday night, yes, Friday, Nov. 30, from 6 to 10 p.m. I am "personally" inviting you to an Open House at my Port Washington studio. It is posted in the events section of Patch but I wanted to say a bit more blog-wise so you would know what you are in for should you decide to attend. The affair will run Saturday, Dec 1, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. as well, so you have no excuse for not coming.

I am, as I have indicated, a visual artist, a human rights activist and wear a rackful of other hats, consequently, at the Open House to which you are most cordially invited, you will experience a mix. 

Most consequential, is a large section of my memorial painting "Aparecidos," the Reappeared. It is a memorial work for the 30,000 victims of state terrorism in Argentina. Between 1976 and 1983, a military junta, then in power, disappeared essentially anyone they chose to kill. The citizens were abducted at night, taken to any of a large number of detention centers, were tortured and eventually murdered. I am commited to painting as many portraits of these people as I can obtain photos of; at this point I can access over one thousand photos and have painted about 200 images. 

I decided to do this work, during an exhibition in Buenos Aires in which I had a work entitled, "The Handwriting on the Wall." That work dealt with violence against women. While in Argentina, I learned more about the state terrorism during this time period and toured the infamous ESMA, a former military college that had been used as a detention and torture center. The genocide in Argentina, was conducted under the dark sobriquet of a "war on terror." Our country was not only aware of the action, but through the auspices of then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, gave a "green light" to the action, encouraging the junta to speed it up as a new and more "dovish" Congress would soon be elected, many of whom who had human rights concerns and might take issue with the killings. 

Aparecidos is both a memorial and an educational effort to inform people to the dangers of reactionary governments. 

Other work include a broad array of paintings, prints, small three dimensional works, etc. Images include figurative paintings (nudes), abstract paintings and collages, horse paintings from a recent series, images based on Renaissance paintings... a mix. 

Most of these artworks will be for sale, and, relative to what I have sold them for in galleries in the past, will be substantially discounted. My intention is to raise money to support the ongoing project, "Aparecidos."

All are welcome ... the only two warnings being that the studio is on second floor and that some of the images contain nudity — in case that might offend some of your party. 

There will be sporadic live music by local hero Howard Lewis, interesting conversation, a lot to look at and refreshments until they run out! 

Hope to see you. You can finally meet the man behind the blogs ... 

When: Friday, Nov. 30, 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 210 E Pier St. Port Washington
No need to RSVP ... bring anyone you like
Contact: briancarlsonartist@gmail with any questions