"Independence", 2026
Found images, Acrylic Paint, Oil Pastel on Paper,
18x24 inches unframed
Website: https://www.grosestudios.com/
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Gregory J. Rose is an East Coast native who has made the Midwest his home. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The Pennsylvania State University in 2000 and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Minnesota in 2004, both with a focus on Drawing and Painting. Gregory has been an arts educator since 2003 and has exhibited his work locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Although primarily known as a painter, Gregory is also a creative force in art education, music, and voice-over work. He is recognized for his contributions to community engagement on multiple levels, including local, regional, national, and international projects. Gregory has curated several exhibitions, notably "Change is God: Root Among the Stars, Black Abstraction in the Midwest," which was held at the Soo Visual Arts Center in Minneapolis, MN. Additionally, he has served on various curatorial boards and actively participates in private and community art organizations.
"Independence" is a work that has been revised and reworked. It began in Mexico during the GAP V exhibition at Baupress Gallery in Mazatlán in 2017. The GAP, or Global Art Project, led by Carl Heyward from the Bay Area, represents my international family of artists spread around the world. Since about 2012, I have been either a full member or a tangential participant in GAP. I have experienced the roles of a visitor, a transplant, and a soul in search of family in unfamiliar places, all while being held safe and cared for—like family—by what we might call strangers. There is a sense of wild and untamed independence that emerges when one embarks on a journey to answer questions along the winding river we call life. An audacious and defiant confidence surfaces, transcending fear and anxiety. This journey brings forth unanswered questions and a dance with the unknown, creating a loss of complete control, even as one continues to face the tasks and challenges ahead. "Independence" serves as a visual koan, exploring the distinction between what lies within our control and what does not. As we navigate this complex world filled with war, hatred, displacement, hope, and love for ourselves and our neighbors, we all strive to feel safe, like an extended family seeking shelter from turmoil. -Gregory J. Rose
