A retrospective
of vibrant watercolors, "Dong Kingman: An American Master,"
is on display now through Jan. 21 at the Central Library.
The exhibition of 26 watercolor paintings by Kingman spans seven
decades of work by the artist, who took inspiration from the
landscapes and cityscapes of New York and San Francisco. His
technique is a blend of the broad brushstrokes used by Chinese
watercolorists and the Western perspective of the cities he painted.
Kingman lived in Brooklyn in the 1940s and ’50s and his "Where
When That Way" (at left) is from that period. The exhibition
includes many images inspired by his years in New York including
"Brooklyn Bridge" and "New York Harbor."
If his work looks familiar, you’ve probably seen it before. The
Brooklyn Public Library has its own Kingman acrylic mural on
permanent display. "East Meets West" is installed in
the Central Library’s Multilingual Center, which provides materials
and services for new immigrants and those learning a second language.
Kingman (1911-2000) made his debut on the New York art scene
with a show at the Midtown Gallery in 1942. His watercolors are
now included in more than 50 public and private collections including
the Brooklyn Museum of Art.
This touring exhibition, organized by the Institute of Chinese
Culture and Arts in Manhattan, is being curated by Monte James.
"Dong Kingman: An American Master," opens on Dec. 6
with a reception from 6-8 pm at the Central Library at Grand
Army Plaza. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more
information about exhibit hours call (718) 230-2100 or visit
www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
on the Web. For more information about the artist, go to www.dongkingman.org.
’EAST MEETS WEST’
