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One artist’s thwarted attempt to put up his dukes has escalated into a full-blown, one-man-show of power.

Powerful art, that is.

Red Hook artist Ed Rosko is being feted with an exhibition all his own — “Solo Flight” — at Prospect Heights’ Gallery on Dean now through Feb. 8. Among the works on display are “more than 20 boxers, of the TKO kind,” according to curator Peter J. Ketchum.

Among the pugilists on display is the acrylic-on-corrugated panel, “Big Red Boxer” (pictured), which is indeed “big” at 45-inches by 45-inches.

The artist told GO Brooklyn that his series of boxers was inspired partly by “a cool image of a Mexican boxer” that he had come across and partly because of an attempt to get into an exercise routine at DUMBO’s famous Gleason’s Gym.

Rosko said the trainers weren’t eager to take him on — as he was unlikely to start winning belts at age 46 — but “it was such a cool testosterone-y experience” that he’d like to donate one of his inspired paintings to the gym’s cluttered walls, “so I’ll be a part of it.”

Whether getting into shape or approaching his art, Rosko clearly relishes a challenge.

Rather than painting on a flat canvas, he frequently paints his big graphics on the unconventional, undulated surfaces of corrugated construction material, which he finds at Home Depot rather than Pearl Paint.

Rosko will be on hand to answer questions about his technique at the Jan. 13 reception at the gallery.

©2007 Community Newspaper Group