Olympic Park Artist Reinterprets French Masterpiece as Tribute to London 2012 Construction Workers

(PRWEB) January 26, 2012

An artist working on the Olympic Park has paid tribute to the workers building the London 2012 Games by recreating his own version of an iconic painting by French post-impressionist Georges Seurat.

The National Gallery, which houses the original masterpiece, expressed that Neville Gabie ? the Olympic Park?s artist in residence - had imaginatively reinterpreted the famous ?Bathers at Asnieres? for a post-industrial age.

Gabie?s version is called Freeze Frame. Seurat?s original can be seen here.

The image by Gabie forms part of the Olympic Delivery Authority?s (ODA) Art in the Park programme, and will be exhibited at the View Tube ? a community viewpoint and cafe overlooking the Olympic Park near Pudding Mill Lane DLR station from January 28-March 18.

Gabie?s photograph recreates the 1884 pointillist painting?s composition, with the characters inhabiting the image taken from across the Olympic Park, including landscape gardeners, engineers, designers and security staff. The image reflects the range of tasks, diversity and skills of those delivering the venues and infrastructure ahead of this summer.

The ODA commissioned Gabie as Artist in Residence in September 2010, with funding from the Arts Council. Gabie has produced a variety of artworks and projects during his 15-month residency, which respond to the physical changes of the site and the huge range of jobs, skills and personalities that have delivered the project.

John Armitt, ODA chairman said: 'The ODA?s Art in the Park programme has strived to commission original and meaningful works. Neville Gabie?s unique take on Seurat?s 19th Century masterpiece will capture both the imagination and attention of art lovers as well as all those who have worked on the Park.

?It is a fitting tribute to everyone who has worked so hard to ensure the project will finish on time, within budget and to an excellent standard.'

Neville Gabie said: 'There is an obvious and surprising physical connection between the two landscapes, but the concept for the work explores the more striking similarities between the social and political contexts of the two. When Seurat painted the Bathers at Asni?res in 1883-4 it was seen as a radical image, based as it was on working class people in an urban park, in an industrial landscape. Seurat was one of the first artists to celebrate the ordinary working man in the places they inhabited.'

Chris Riopelle, National Gallery?s curator of post-1800 paintings, said: 'In his iconic image, Seurat showed how the modern industrial landscape was coming to shape our lives some 130 years ago. Neville Gabie reinterprets Seurat for a post-industrial age. He shows us beauty and natural harmony in what might have seemed the most unlikely place.'

Moira Sinclair, London Executive Director of Arts Council England, said:

'This summer we will see elite, almost superhuman, athletes performing on a world stage in London. Neville?s work captures the people that will make all this possible; the cornerstones of great Olympic feats that don?t make the headlines. 2012 is a celebration of sport, culture and London ? but also of Londoners who make it the great city that it is.'

Ruth Mackenzie, Director, Cultural Olympiad & London 2012 Festival, said: 'The ODA has done an amazing job of putting art at the heart of the Olympic Park and Neville Gabie?s take on Georges Seurat?s masterpiece is very much a jewel in the crown. Through the London 2012 Festival we are building on this platform, programming a celebration of arts and culture for the whole of the UK in the summer of 2012.'

Notes to Editors

Contact the National Gallery picture library on +44 (0)207 747 5996 for an image of Georges Seurat?s ?Bathers at Asnieres?. Ask for Daragh Kenny.

A range of Neville Gabie?s works created during his ODA Residency will be on view at the Sparked exhibition, funded by The Legacy List, at the View Tube from 28 January ? 18 March 2012. Free family art workshops run on 18 February. The exhibition celebrates Art in the Park commissions by the Olympic Delivery Authority, and is open daily from 9am ? 5pm. Admission is free.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Neville Gabie did an MA in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art, London 1986/88. Previous projects include; POSTS published by Penguin Books. Photographs from this publication have been exhibited in Japan Korea, Germany, Portugal, South Africa and the UK. Previous residencies include at Tate Liverpool, a four month residency at Halley Research Station, Antarctica with the British Antarctic survey, three years as artist in residence on a building site in Bristol ? Cabot Circus ?bs1? and a five year project in a North Liverpool Tower block ?up in the air?. He has worked on residencies as far afield as Guangzhou in China, a remote town in western Australia at International Art Space Kellerberrin Australia , as well as working on a photographic project with the Non- Governmental Organisation ?Right to Play? in Afghan Refugee camps in Pakistan. The ?Right to Play? programme was established by a three-time Olympic gold medal winner Johann Koss. His work is included in the Tate Gallery and Arts Council Collections. For more details visit http://www.nevillegabie.com

For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office

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Academy of Art University Graduate Wins Jack Gaughan Award for Best Emerging Artist

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) July 15, 2010

A recent Academy of Art University graduate is quickly making a name for himself in the Illustration world. Tyler Jacobson, whose artwork can be seen in Dungeons & Dragons magazine among other places, won the Jack Gaughan Award for Best Emerging Artist.

Given by the New England Science Fiction Association (NESFA), the Jack Gaughan Award is presented each year to a new and outstanding illustrator. The jury for the award consisted of Irene Gallo, Art Director of Tor Books; Todd Lockwood, Illustrator; and Bob Eggleton, Illustrator. ?I am extremely honored to be placed among such amazing previous winners and well established illustrators,? said Tyler.

NESFA conferred the award on Tyler for his incredible body of work, including his Master?s thesis for the Illustration graduate school. Ranging from stunning illustrations of Moby Dick to detailed portraits of famous literary characters like Lestat, the pieces exhibit Tyler?s interest in science fiction and fantasy stories as well as his talent and imagination.

Tyler?s thesis work was displayed at Academy of Art University?s Spring Show, an annual event that draws creative professionals from across the country to see new talent from the Academy. ?I was fortunate to have so many industry people see my work at that Spring Show. Such exposure allowed me the opportunity to be considered for the award,? Tyler said of the event.

In addition to gaining exposure at Spring Show, Tyler also found his agent there. Artist representative, Richard Solomon saw Tyler?s work at a portfolio review organized by the illustration school prior to the show. Solomon was so impressed that within a few months of their meeting, he had officially signed Tyler on with his company.

A passion for storytelling inspired Tyler to pursue a masters degree in illustration. He credits Academy of Art University with enabling him to develop his technique and style. ?The Academy really allowed me to explore my options and discover the best way for me to express my vision of art,? said Tyler.

In particular, Bill Maughan, Director of Graduate Illustration, had a significant influence on Tyler?s work. Maughan?s classes combined principles of both illustration and fine art, which is rare among art schools. ?Bill also provided tremendous real world applications for his illustration concepts, and I think all my fellow classmates, including me, benefited greatly from his knowledge and skill,? said Tyler.

Tyler?s work has appeared in Texas Monthly magazine, an upcoming pilot for NBC and more. He will also be featured this November in Spectrum, an illustration magazine that publishes winning entries into its annual competition.

Reflecting on his experiences as a professional freelance illustrator, Tyler offers this advice to current students, ?Develop your vision. The strongest illustrators are the ones who have developed and established their style and are confident in it.?

About Academy of Art University, San Francisco

With more than 16,000 students, Academy of Art University is the nation's largest private art and design university. Established in 1929, the school offers accredited AA, BA, BFA, MA, M.Arch and MFA programs in 16 different majors, as well as continuing art education, with classes in Advertising, Animation & Visual Effects, Architecture, Art Education, Fashion, Fine Art, Game Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture & Design, Motion Pictures & Television, Multimedia Communications, Music for Visual Media, Photography and Web Design & New Media. Art Education is the school's newest major, offering BFA and MA degrees. Students can also enroll in flexible online degree programs in most majors.

Academy of Art University is an accredited member of WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), NASAD, Council for Interior Design Accreditation (BFA-IAD) and NAAB (M-ARCH).

For more information, visit http://www.academyart.edu or call 1-800-544-2787.

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