Nov 5th – Dec. 28th, 2023
Artists’ Reception: Thursday, November 16th | 6:00-8:00pm
Barbara Dabrowski , Daniel Bykat, and Richard Halprin are 3 artists, all with a Huntington Woods connection, either past or present. This exhibit showcases the figurative works of these 3 artists who each bring a unique and expressive style to the persons they depict. Works in oil, watercolor, charcoal, acrylic and more are exhibited.
Barbara Dabrowski was born in Pinsk, Poland. She worked as a Draftsman at Square D Company from 1952-1962. In 1963, she attended Wayne State University earning a degree in Art Education. Barbara is a retired High School Art Teacher where she taught in Detroit Public Schools and Utica Community School districts. In addition to her art work, she is a Designer and Jewelry Maker. Barbara has received Best of Show Awards in numerous Jewelry exhibitions. Barbara credits much of her success to the challenges she faced while coming of age, during which she developed a passion for art. Barbara became involved in her profession because she was always interested in drawing and painting. In the 70’s, she exhibited her panting in galleries in Milano, Italy, San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Chicago’s Water Tower. Her father was an architect and, had the Second World War not happened, she would have probably followed his example. Barbara is most proud to have inspired some of her former students to pursue art. Barbara also has interests in cooking, drawing, painting, weaving, and pottery.
In her artist’s statement, Barbara says, “At the beginning of life, there is only a mother. My inspiration for this series comes from the women who give life, love, and more to those around them. Whether strangers or children, mothers give love and joy, even if it takes all of them to give it. The figures represented throughout the series evoke many of the emotions a mother gives to her child, and to the world. The inspiration that began as sterling silver sculptures has transformed into lively color on oil and canvas. I hope they encourage you to get in touch with feelings of love and tenderness. And I hope it reminds you to call your mother.”
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Daniel Bykat’s work explores the narrative self, the private ways that one makes sense of personal history and group identity. He creates large charcoal and mixed media drawings of different personages incorporating his self portrait. “I draw my own image to remember what we truly look like and from where we came.”
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In his artist’s statement for this gallery exhibit, Daniel says; “This selection of work spans the last twenty years, with each piece rooted in deliberate observation. To focus one’s own vision and attention is a simple act, but with all the distractions surrounding us, this simple act can feel radical in nature. By incorporating self portraiture, I can rely on my subject to sit patiently while I grapple with themes of personal history and group identity.”
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Richard Halprin is an artist, illustrator, songwriter, children’s rights attorney, district court magistrate, and more. As a prolific painter with a unique style, much of his work explores the facets of faces, and reflects his perpetual curiosity with the real and imagined predicaments of daily living.
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My art is a crisis of criss cross addictions, from facets of faces, to fact into fiction…A steady slipstream of whimsical quips, of tightening focus, to loosening grips…A subtle barrage of middle finger flips, a punch in the nose, a kiss on the lips, a chamber of torture with morphine drips…A passive aggressive acid trip, through the minefields of passion, that digressions unzip…Peeping Tom confessions and manic solo missions performed without practice or permission slips… “
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Richard never stops asking, “Why (or Why not…)?” More of Richard’s figurative expressionistic work can be seen on his Inkling Fountain web site.
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The Woods Gallery is located in the lower level of the Huntington Woods Library and is open during library hours.