“My paintings are journeys through life, narratives that the viewer can enjoy and interpret,” he says. “Still, they’re not unconstrained. Years of art training at Hunter taught me that.”
Lewis’ work focuses on motifs and shapes that have played a part in his personal and artistic history, exploring human sensuality and the relationship between men, women, and the environment. Using vivid color, his work exhibits an almost hieroglyphic quality. His fascination with the energy of a circus, enjoyment of art, and his grandchild’s kineticism are all evident in the fun nature of his works.
He distributes paint purposely, while bringing a vigor and expressiveness to each of his canvases. Powerfully intense, the forms, lines, shapes and colors are unexpected, surprising, sexy, fun and sometimes aggressive. “I look for spiritual insights to provide me with normality and a proper balance in life,” he states, adding that he’s not sure he’ll ever find them.
About the Artist
Born in The Bronx, Lewis studied painting at Hunter College in New York City, earning a BA and MA under the tutelage of Ralph Humphrey and Robert Huot. Originally trained in the minimalist school of painting in the 1970s, he was influenced by artist lecturers, including Robert Motherwell, Helen Frankenthaler, and Tony Smith. After starting out as a hard-edge geometric painter, Lewis spent the last 40 years freeing himself from those constraints and exploring his intuitive nature.
He has exhibited in New York, including in shows juried by curators from the Whitney. Since 2012, his work has been represented by the Carter Burden Gallery in Chelsea. He splits his time between New York City and Narrowsburg, NY.
Acknowledgements
The activities of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance are made possible in part by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
