A Painter, A Sculptor and a Cabinetmaker Walk into a Bar

The title of artist Dan Gordon’s latest show, “A Painter, A Sculptor and a Cabinetmaker Walk into a Bar….”, although it is in the form of an old joke, speaks to the various hats the artist wears to create a piece of art.
This Watchung Arts Center show is timely and exciting because it features a group of pieces that succeed in balancing the mediums of wood and paint through which Dan Gordon achieves his ideas. The wood often provides the bones and warmth, the paint is the muscle and motion, and the overall sculptural quality feeds the brain’s need to pull all the elements together, forming a cohesive thought. The work is infused with Gordon’s day to day experience as an artist, woodworking teacher and cabinetmaker.
A graduate of Drew University, Mr. Gordon is essentially self-taught in the mediums of inlay/marquetry, paint and carving, but gained valuable experience working alongside some of the world’s finest artisans, including New Jersey furniture makers Glen Guarino and Frank Pollaro.
While working with Pollaro, among a wide variety of furniture building and creative activities, he had the opportunity to help develop and execute designs for a Steinway grand piano honoring master pianist Roger Williams. On another project, Gordon worked closely with Jim Henson’s original creative director to build marquetry panels that honored Jim’s earliest creations.
In addition to Mr. Gordon’s exhibit, the month of April will also feature an exhibit of the works of the students and teachers of Watchung Hills Regional High School, in the center’s Heinz W. Otto Gallery.
The Watchung Arts Center is located on the circle at 18 Stirling Road ,Watchung ,NJ . The Gallery is open Tues.-Fri. noon-5pm and Sat. 10:00am-3:00pm. For more information go to watchungarts.org or call 908 753 0190.