Rudy Gutierrez Appearance and Reception

You don't want to miss artist Rudy Gutierrez who will discuss his incredible art in a lecture at Gleeson Hall, room 202. There will be a reception from 5:30-8:30 pm in the Memorial Gallery in Hale Hall. If you have any questions, call 631-420-2400.  Gutierrez is a world-renowned artist known for his visual pairing of African, Indian and urban life.

Spirits Known and Unknown: The Art of Rudy Gutierrez is being shown from March 19 through April 19, Monday through Friday from 9:00 am–4:00 pm at  The Memorial Gallery in Hale Hall of Farmingdale State College.  All are welcome.  Admission is free and the gallery is accessible to persons with mobility impairments. The exhibit is coordinated by Professor George Fernandez of the Department of Visual Communications.  For information, please call 631-420-6118 / 631-420-2181.

Rudy Gutierrez was born in the Bronx, NY, grew up in Teaneck, NJ, and earned a BFA Pratt Institute.  His work for various periodicals, book covers, CDs, and children's books, as well as his paintings have appeared worldwide. Gutierrez includes the Dean Cornwell Hall of Fame Award, Distinguished Educator in the Arts Award, and a Gold Medal from the NY Society of Illustrators amongst his honors.  His children's books have garnered him a Pura Belpré Honor, Américas Book Award, and a New York Book Award. His work has been featured by Communication Arts, Step by Step, Society of Illustrators, Art News, American Artist and Art Direction Magazine.  He has exhibited internationally including at the World Conference Against Racism in South Africa and has performed as a guest artist with Def Dance Jam Workshop doing live "painting performances" with the  company that features hearing impaired and physically challenged kids. He has also "performed" with Dance, Music, and Kids on stage with performers of the Broadway shows "The Lion King" and "Bring in the Noise, Bring in the Funk.”

Rudy’s work for various periodicals, book covers, magazines, records, CDs, and children’s books, as well as his paintings have appeared nationally and abroad and his client list includes: Sony, Harper Collins, Rolling Stone, Verve Records, Arista Records, Ms. Magazine, The NY Times, Scholastic, Viking / Penguin, Playboy, People Magazine, The Village Voice and the Dallas Morning News amongst others. The award winning artist includes the Dean Cornwell Recognition Hall of Fame Award (Since 1958, the Society of Illustrators has elected to its Hall of Fame artists recognized for their “distinguished achievement in the art of illustration.” Distinguished Educator in the Arts Award, International Labor Communications Association Honor and a Gold Medal from the NY Society of Illustrators amongst his honors. His children’s books have garnered him a Pura Belpré Honor, Américas Book Award, and a  New York Book Award. His work has been featured by Communication Arts, Step by Step, Society of Illustrators, Art News, American Artist and Art Direction Magazine.

Gutierrez chooses to merge the visual parallels of the African and the Indian with an Urban and world musical sensibility thus forming his “Gumbo” of sorts that is his painting.  The work represents his walk through life with a claiming of his own value through inspiring others to see their own divinity.

He has often stated that he believes he has a responsibility with his art to inspire and uplift others to reach into their spirits to do whatever they do best.  It is about conquering borders, categories, and labels that develop into boxes of fear.

Do not miss this opportunity to see the art of Rudy Gutierrez.