January 23 - February 21, 2020
Social Intercourse, an exhibition featuring the collage work of artist Paul Greco. Greco’s densely layered collages using cutout illustrations from children’s books are an artist’s commentary and a call for meaningful conversation concerning historical and contemporary socio-politics.
Greco painstakingly cuts human and animal figures, objects, and sometimes text from hundreds of children’s books. A visit to his studio reveals stacked storage bins full of cutout collage elements meticulously organized according to shared characteristics. Through thoughtful placement of these elements Greco carefully composes a darkly humorous critique of political struggles and Biblical theories.
Satirical in nature, Greco’s collage work utilizes his comprehensive knowledge of art history themes, concepts, and compositional techniques while revealing his awareness of politics. Many of his collages use the Baroque technique of strong diagonals to create a dynamic composition. And he considers Norman Rockwell’s later, more politically charged paintings as an influence on his compositional style and content. Not one to shy away from the harshness of reality, Greco also turns to personal experience in his work.
As a former firefighter and paramedic, Greco experienced trauma and tragedy firsthand. Drawing on these experiences and his pursuit of political discourse, Greco’s work quickly becomes Social Intercourse. Whether the viewer likes it or not, he wants to start a conversation with them, even if it involves conflict. Utilizing illustrations from children’s books that hint at 1960s nostalgia and giving his work titles such as, Democracy Created the One Dimensional Clown, Greco’s collages become even more intriguing to contemplate.
Paul Greco is a retired Houston firefighter and paramedic who found art after his early retirement. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Stephen F. Austin University and his Master of Fine Arts in Printmaking from the University of North Texas. In 2016, he ran a strong race for Texas House District 64 and was narrowly defeated by less than four percentage points. Paul resides in Denton, Texas.
Opening: January 23, 2020 | 12–1 pm
Gallery 219 at Eastfield College
3737 Motley Drive
Mesquite, 75150 TX
(972) 860-7162
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