T H E N AN D N OW Rick Gruin
THEN AND NOW An exhibition of paintings by Rick Gruin 2-24 August, 2021 Official opening: Saturday 7th August, 4-6 pm Cool Art Picture Framing + Gallery 5/43 Access Crescent Coolum Beach, QLD 4573 Viewing times Tues-Fri 9-5 Mon & Sat 9-2 (+617) 5471 7366 art@coolartgallery.com.au www.coolartgallery.com.au
All artworks subject to availability. All images copyright to the artist
Cool Art Picture Framing Gallery is delighted to present ; THEN AND NOW, an exhibition of paintings by locally-based artist Rick Gruin. Born in Queensland, Rick’s first contact with artists was with Jon Molvig in Spring Hill in 1962. He graduated as an architect in 1964, moving to Balmain, Sydney where he worked as an architect for five years. After two years of world travelling he settled in Deia, Mallorca, Spain, which was a vibrant and diverse creative community with many artists, writers, musicians and galleries. In 1973 Rick returned to Paddington, Sydney. He had an exhibition of paintings at the Bonython Gallery in Sydney and later at his studio in Foxground. He travelled and lived between Spain and Sydney for several years and had exhibitions at galleries in Mallorca. His paintings are mainly held in private collections in England, Europe, USA, and also Australia. In 1985 the family returned to Brisbane where he completed numerous commissions for private clients. From 1990 until 2003 he re-commenced his architectural practice, building a residence and studio complex in the Sunshine Coast where he and his ceramicist wife reside and continue their art practice. Rick’s development as an artist has been strongly influenced by contact with contemporary artists and the great modern art museums of Europe.
His painting styles reflect sixty years of drawing figures, landscapes and city environments. Abstract expressionist and other paintings reference modern art of the twentieth century; artists such as Matisse, Fairweather, de Kooning and Francis Bacon. He brings to his art the vitality and exuberance of aspects of life, landscape and contemporary human culture which is reflected in the colours, techniques and content of the paintings.
Signs of Life Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 145 x 285 cm, triptych. $8800
Uncontainable Exuberance Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 150 x 250 cm, diptych. $8400
Persistence of Culture Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 145 x 190 cm, diptych. $6800
Journey through Wu Tong Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 145 x 220 cm, diptych. $6800
Ancient Relics Da Wang Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 120 x 240 cm, triptych. $7200
Five Mantras Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 95 x 145 cm $3600
Giving Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 110 x 145 cm $3800
Mysterious Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 137 x 100 cm $3600
Planet Earth at Work Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 89 x 130 cm $3400
The Last Train to Arcadia has Left the Station Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 121 x 121 cm $3600
Grief Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 130 x 165 cm $5600
Wet Season NT Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 130 x 165 cm $5800
Collision Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 137 x 91 cm $3200
A Beautiful Life Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 84 x 68 cm $1400
Making a Mark Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 73 x 54 cm $1200
Satisfaction Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 104 x 76 cm $2400
Exuberant Joy Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm $2400
Lovers Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 130 x 89 cm $3200
A Spanish Afternoon Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 116 x 116 cm $3200
An Unexpected Frisson Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 107 x 73 cm $2400
Encounter of a Painter with his Muse Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 73 x 55 cm NFS
A Painting of an Artist Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 60 x 50 cm $1200
Deep Pondering Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 92 x 65 cm $1600
Blue in Charge Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 47 x 47 cm $600
The Unanswered Question Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 61 x 61 cm $600
Gruin Did It Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 170 x 135 cm $6800
Queen St Mall Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 138 x 205 cm, diptych. $6600
Cosmic Gala Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 60 x 82 cm $1600
Yellow in Charge Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 90 x 117 cm $3200
The Ecstasy and Colour of Music Rick Gruin Acrylic on linen 92 x 65 cm $2200
The Arrangement Rick Gruin Acrylic on canvas 88 x 130 cm $2800