Saturday, June 16, 2012

Aponovich 52


The unbelievable 52-week painting marathon of New England artist James Aponovich culminated today with the opening of his show at the Clark Gallery in Lincoln, Massachusetts.  The show is the product of the artist's year-long painting-a-week project which he documented on his blog Aponovich 52.


I drove out to Lincoln today with friends and we stopped to see the show.  Setting out to complete a painting a week for an entire year seems like an incredible task.  I'm sure it was.  But the artist clearly cut no corners to get the job done.  The work is stunning.

Here are a few of my favorites from the show:











Can you imagine this was painted in one week.



I really love the transparency of the tape in this one.



And the tromp l'oeil effect of the tape in this one.



Detail of tape.




It's hard to pick a favorite painting but this one is just stunning.  Look at all the reflections.




Another favorite.



145 Lincoln Road
Lincoln, MA  01773


All of the paintings can be seen here.

If you would like to review his year-long journey, Aponovich's blog is here.





45 comments:

  1. you've profiled a lot of artists but this is by far my favorite. what an incredible body of work. i'm blown away.

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  2. Dayum....And here I thought you were unveiling a new vodka.

    ...But THIS was even better!

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  3. Just stunning. Thank you, Steve, for another great introduction.

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  4. Oh my gosh, I can barely blogpost once a week! I would have never guessed the paintings you showed were done in a week. Talented, focused and prolific. Thanks for posting about artist James Aponovich! Wonderful paintings!
    Cheers,
    Loi

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  5. Super original.... I like it very much, super

    marinainblue.blogspot.com.

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  6. Steve,
    What a way to start the day. Absolutely breathtaking. I'd have a hard timeputting together one still life a week. Never mind putting it together AND painting it in such a detailed way. Each week. Thanks for sharing this with us!
    am

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  7. I adore trompe l'oeil especially when they have crumpled paper. I just find it such a marvel.
    The once a week thing is amazing to me. Not so much completing a painting in a week but sometimes "it" just isn't there and I have to stop painting for a day or two.

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  8. Just beautiful. I love the subject matter, the rich colors, the oranges and blue together are perfect.

    They all make my eyes want to linger.

    Thank you.

    xo jane

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  9. Really incredible. I had a few favorites and that tape was beyond belief

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  10. .........I am in awe.
    Unbelievable.
    And in just a week.

    Thanks so much for this post.
    Just when I have gone numb from reading others similar posts (and I, writing the same) I come here and you wake up my brain.
    :D

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  11. This is amazing! I can't imagine painting each in only a week...the detail is unbelievable. I didn't know anything about this artist or his year long project, but now that I do, I hope I have the opportunity to see them at a show or gallery in the future.

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  12. Thank you Steve. These paintings are so beautiful, such depth, it's almost 3-d. I can only imagine what they must be like in person, just drawing you in.

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  13. I've been looking all morning for a painting that's at the MFA that I love, but of course I don't know who did it....just fruit displayed among the papers in a box that reminds me so much of these. Paper, cardboard and fruit and flowers: love, love!!! (I thought it was Corbeille, but now think I'm wrong). Aren't you just the perfect Art History blogger for me?

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  14. I love trompe d'oeil work! this is excellent.

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  15. Wow...just gorgeous work. Love his flowers and fruit.

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  16. Amazing! Thank you for sharing this very talented artist's work. My favorites are the Chinese fortune cookies and the still life with pears, plums and raspberries. The maple leaves are fantastic too. Such detail. I'd love to see his work in person.
    Claudia

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  17. Crikey...and I am trying to blog once a week....he actually painted something and did it very well I might add :)
    I feel like a slacker.

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  18. i would be impressed if you showed any one of these intricate paintings and said "this took one year"

    to do 52 old masters styled paintings is.....i have no words......

    thanks for sharing this gifted man
    debra

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  19. Incredible- THANK YOU for bringing this amazing talent to our attention. I will plan a trip to the Gallery!

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  20. Incredible indeed. He knows what he's doing.

    xo Terri

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  21. Whoa. Incredible. It seems IMPOSSIBLE that those were each done in a week. Does the guy work outside of painting? Amazing talent. I think my favorite is the unwrapped fruit.

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  22. Amazing! Such detail...and one per week. Remarkable!

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  23. I LOVE these! I cannot imagine finishing each of these paintings in a week. Amazing.

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  24. These paintings are incredible and I can't believe he painted each one in a single week. I'm so glad you shared your day with us.

    XX
    Debra~

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  25. This looks amazing. I will definitely go to see it. This week I am going to catch the Provincetown show you recommended!

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  26. Thank you, Steve. I enjoy your posts on art and artists. What a stunning body of work.

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  27. I've been following Aponovich's project, and it's most inspiring. I've enjoyed how he's tipped his hat to the Old Masters in so many6 of the works.

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  28. steve. those are so cool. so realistic, yet some with such a fun twist. thanks so much for the peak...donna

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  29. Particularly drawn to "The Dance Floor" and wonder if all those triangular shapes were actually in the landscape or if he made the clouds echo the shapes. Why travel East when Steve posts such great photos?

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  30. Well, he's quite an artist... as are you!

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  31. Just amazing! What a talented individual. I can't wait to check out the rest of the photos!

    You've given me an idea to do a post on my nephew's art (he's the one going to Pratt in the Fall), it's unique too!

    Have a great week!

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  32. Yes - the plums and pears with the paper wrapping? The translucency of the paper is just amazing. My goodness!

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  33. It's hard to believe that each of these was done in a week. And week after week for a whole year! What a brilliant body of work! Thanks so much for sharing this.

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  34. Had a crazy few days of computer issues, ( my IT guy has now conquered them I, believe) but if you've heard this before, ooops :)

    Great artist. Love people who live their art instead of just doing their art. Got a struggling artist myself, so I really like to see those who have made it their life's work.

    My fave is the chines takeout. Like an obelisk to merging cultures :)

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  35. Amazing.....I LOVE the leaves hanging.....amazing.

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  36. Stunning! This man has great talent!

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  37. Wow! Really like many of these paintings. What talent!

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  38. I visited the gallery yesterday with my daughter. The art is stunning! I couldn't pick a favorite either. I have no idea how this body of work was completed in 52 weeks. Not sure if you noticed, but most of it is already sold.

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  39. Victoria,
    Glad you were able to make it! When I was there, more than half were sold. I'm happy to know that so many people appreciate the work.

    Isn't that town so pretty?

    S.

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  40. This is incredibly inspiring. No sniveling 52 paintings in a year. I mean, each of these could takes weeks to finish with the attention to detail.

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  41. Amazing. I need to go back and savor this.

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  42. I'm familiar with him but didn't know about this endeavor. Wow. Great that you are sharing his work with your community.

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  43. This is one great artist, so talented. I love the work! I wish I could see them in person but I don't have a car :(
    Huli

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