Victor Mullen: The Dance of Covid “Smokedancers”

Artist Victor Mullen is pleased to present the inaugural solo art show at Fieldstone Farm Two Art Gallery and River Rock Events in Delhi. The show will be on view October 7 and 8. The 7th will be the inaugural opening from 2 to 5 pm. The show will also be on view during the ARToberfest Party, featuring art, food, live music and dance, on October 8 from 1 to 6 pm. Viewings are also available on October 9 and 10 by appointment: call 607 424 6030.

Victor says of his work, “My drawings and paintings completed during COVID are entitled ‘Smoke Dancers.’ Throughout that period, I was anchored in my Puerto Rican and Catskill studios. I created dancers, rhythmically gliding through smoke, flames and confusion. Sometimes I thought of them as the dead, sometimes the living, dancing out of uncertainty. As the pandemic intensified, my paintings and drawings become more reflective.

“As we lost contact with people and friends I was able to focus on art and create a large body of work. I think of those paintings and drawings as my diary of the period.

“I love painting water, it is transitional, it’s my core and my comfort zone. As the pandemic showed signs of lessening, I began painting boats in rough seas. Some were captainless vessels without direction, navigating out of the abyss and hoping that the plague was really over. Whether they contain warnings or not, I leave to the viewer.

“I have included in the show some of my earlier water paintings, dancers and my Vivaldi series. All of my paintings focus on rhythm and include music in their construction.

Throughout COVID, I tried to draw every day and simplify my drawings. By using less I found a way to connect, accept and continue working on my art.”

Victor Mullen lives in North Harpersfield. He taught art for 24 years at Walton Middle/High School. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Art (now UArts), studied at the Academy of Art in London and received his graduate degree at SUNY New Paltz. He spends five months a year in Luquillo, Puerto Rico. Victor plays blues harp with Say What?, and will perform Sunday at ARToberfest.

Fieldstone Farm Two Art Gallery and River Rock Events is located at 739 County Highway 18 in Delhi, NY. For more information, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/fieldstonefarmdelhiny.