Neufeld To Have A Major New Exhibit

NEW MILFORD — The work of Woldemar Neufeld, a Litchfield County artist of international stature who became known in New York City as “Artist Laureate of the East River” for his expressionistic birds, tugboats and waterscapes, will be on exhibit in a major one-man show beginning Saturday, June 24. The show will be presented at Gregory James Gallery, 16 Bridge Street, and will run through July 30.

Entitled “From New York to Connecticut,” the show will feature more than 30 evocative works from the latter half of Neufeld’s 70-year painting career. Mr Neufeld became an accomplished artist of both urban New York City scenes and dynamic New England landscapes, including bridge scenes across the Housatonic River. Watercolors, oils and block prints will be on display and all are being offered for sale.

Greg Mullen, owner of Gregory James Gallery, says of Mr Neufeld4, “I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to exhibit the works of this major artist. With influences from the Ashcan and Regionalist schools evident, Woldemar’s idealistic and vibrant depictions of urban and rural life instill in the viewer a sense of pride.”

Laurence Neufeld, the artist’s son, says, “I have witnessed my dad’s prolific career continually unfold before my eyes. He’s documented with exuberant color and evolving personal styles the places in my life I’ve come to love and cherish. This exhibition, with its contrast between city and country, shows my dad’s love of his subject matter: the personal spaces where we can feel at home.”

“Although he’s no longer able to paint, my dad’s excitement has been evident as he’s helped select work for this show – that sparkle still in his eye as he recalls why each scene made him put paint on a brush to paper or canvas,” continued Mr Neufeld.

Woldemar Neufeld’s works are exhibited in prominent museums and institutions across the country, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of the City of New York, the New York Public Library, the Boston Public Library, the Philadelphia Public Library, the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and the New Britain Museum of Art.

His work is also displayed at the Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, from which the artist received an honorary doctorate of letters in 1988.

An opening reception will be held on June 24 from 4 to 7 pm, to which the public is invited. For additional information, the gallery can be reached by calling 860/354-3436.