Biography

The compulsive need for artistic creation has ruled Hermann Polz since childhood, sometimes to an uncontrollable extent. Attempted escapes led him through quite a few professional detours and wrong ways. However, during other occupations he was always driven back to the drawing table and easel. While studying Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Vienna (doctoral dissertation on: “Psychoanalysis in Modern Art”), he attended evening courses in figure drawing with Herbert Böckl at the Academy of Art. After finishing his degree, he participated in stage set design while working as a dramatic producer at the Scala Theater in Vienna. Later, as an editor for a publishing company he also designed book covers and as a theater critic was also creative as an illustrator and caricaturist. Most of his career was spent as editor in chief for an Austrian daily where he made a significant contribution to the formation of the political landscape in Austria. After having suffered the devastating consequences of fascism in Europe during the WWII, Mr. Polz devoted his career to actively fighting against even the hint of fascist ideology. The indelible mark of the wartime experience also manifests itself in many of his paintings.

In the second half of his life, Mr. Polz evolved into an alter Wilder (old wild one), a somewhat suspicious species because the aggressive impetus of the junger Wilde (young wild one) was reinvigorated by an array of experiences over the course of many years while not yet being diminished by age. Mr. Polz is interested in depicting the human being not without irony but in all of its inadequacies and defeats – a state more unequivocally revealing than any success or victory.

Artistic fear of publicity led to the materialization of a number of solo and group shows, including in Austria, Germany, Sweden and the United States.

Hermann Polz lives and works in Vienna, Austria.

Opening, Saturday April 4: 5:00 to 8:00

Closing, Sunday April 26, 2:00 to 5:00

Hours by appointment throughout April.

This work refers to myths both urban and ancient, jokes, conflicts, catastrophes and childhood obsessions. I try to make images that resonate, arouse anxiety, or maintain a charge after endless collisions with the memes that crowd the media stream, (more…)

Local Chelsea Artist and dedicated supporter of the arts will be showing New Work for the month of February. Artist reception Friday, Feb. 13, 6-9P.

In this exhibit, Rachel Hellmann’s large scale oil paintings and mixed media works on paper explore light patterns and color and space relationships from the urban landscape.

Hellmann creates delicate worlds that invite a sensory experience from the viewer. The complex paintings and drawings are created with a minimal language and suggest the passing of time. Hellmann’s work is rooted in the relationship between the environment and the individual. The work uniquely combines historical and contemporary references to textiles, maps and architecture.

www.rachelhellmann.com

 We’re so delighted to have artist Gigi Mederos back!!! The opening reception is Saturday, Nov. 1 6-8P and a closing reception will be held Sunday Nov. 30 12-2P. Gigi is a Venezuelan-born artist who shows regularly in the New England area. Through much of her work, her detailed and minute strokes serve to depict a very intimate and minuscule world, as seen through her “microscope eyes”. Her work can be found in collections in the Americas - USA ( Massachusetts, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, Texas, New York), Canada, Argentina and Venezuela - and in Europe (Spain, Germany, Italy and Austria). You can view her work online at www.adrianamederos.comwww.adrianamederos.com