Christian Nicklaus: Mythology of the Self

The Agora Gallery (530 West 25th Street, Chelsea, New York, NY, 10001) is proud to present Christian Nicklaus in A Symphony of Symbolism. Scheduled to run from October 1st through October 21st, the collection will feature a captivating selection of Christian Nicklaus' creative works.

Award winning artist, Christian Nicklaus creates paintings that provide an overwhelming sensory experience for audiences. Runes and Celtic imagery interweave and overlap with expressive characters and collage elements in a bold, imaginative style. A veritable maze of imagery greets viewers, requiring serious visual exploration, while cryptic titles accent the mood and provide the starting point for understanding the message. “My work is a grouping of in-depth hieroglyphics, which display my own wishes, fears, heritage, and hope without always giving the viewer a complete Rosetta Stone of translation,” Nicklaus explains.

The richness of his work is a result of weaving together a complex array of undulating Celtic motifs, emblematic forms, and textural areas, including representations of natural qualities of wood or stone. The sophisticated visual metaphors in his paintings cross barriers of time and place to present a glimpse into his own internal dialogue. Correspondingly, his work is often allowed to be rough hewn, like a thought being fleshed out before being fully developed. His adept drafting skills come to the forefront on other occasions, where polished line work and gradations in tone add a sense of depth and dimensionality.

Nicklaus realizes his artistic vision by mythologizing people from his personal and intellectual life. He has been enamored by the writings of art critic Rene Ricard, who played a role in the career of Jean Michel Basquiat, who’s own heavily layered paintings have influenced Nicklaus’s aesthetics. Likewise, his family history and culture became tangible after receiving an important card containing a personal and inspiring message from his late grandfather, which remains framed in his studio as a constant reminder of his ancestors. His remarkable understanding of color reaffirms these relationships, and provides a layer of spirituality and substance to his painting.

Nicklaus has exhibited frequently around Long Island and Pennsylvania in juried exhibitions and gallery spaces. His education focused on printmaking, earning his Bachelor’s degree from College of Saint Rose and an MFA from Marywood University. Christian Nicklaus resides in Port Jefferson, New York.

Exhibition Dates: October 1, 2008 through October 21, 2008
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 6-8 pm
Gallery Location: 530 West 25th Street, Chelsea, New York
Gallery Hours: Tues - Sat, 11am - 6pm

Christian Nicklaus' work may be seen on
http://www.agora-gallery.com/ArtistInvite/Christian_Nicklaus.aspx

Agora Gallery is a fine art gallery dedicated to the promotion of national and international artists, providing quality and original art to established and emerging collectors, catering to special events in support of fine art, organizations that foster social awareness and promote environmental issues . The gallery is also the publisher of ARTisSpectrum Magazine and the sponsor of Art-Mine.com

Agora Gallery
530 West 25th St
Chelsea, NY 10001
212-226-4151

This release was published on openPR.