Richard Watson: My Country, ‘Tis of Thee
July 2nd, 2022
4954 Old York Rd Philadelphia, PA 19140 rushartsphilly.org rushartsphiladelphia@gmail.com
"Richard Watson: My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” is on view at Rush Arts Philadelphia Gallery. If you’re interested in purchasing any of the works, please email us at rushartsphiladelphia@gmail.com.
About the Exhibition Richard Watson’s “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” is a collection of new and past works ranging from 1996-2022, showcasing Watson’s artistic career and evolution. Featuring 25 works, “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” utilizes historical and contemporary motifs. Paying homage to his rural heritage informed by his childhood in North Carolina, throughout the exhibition, Watson uses this as a backdrop to both appreciate the beauty of America but to also socially critique the country. Throughout his collages, Watson successfully portrays what dreams must be like, “...issues of social politics are presented with fragmented elements of "real life" collaged and collapsed, as dreams are prone to do. If connections are made, all the better. Life should remind us of our dreams.” Each collage portrays the social dichotomies that persist in American history and culture, black and white, function and dysfunction, freedom and slavery, good and evil. Richard J. Watson, an alumnus of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, in Philadelphia, is a multi- faceted artist who is widely recognized as a representational, and collage artist. He has to his credit many public and institutional murals throughout the city of Philadelphia. As one of the most influential figures in the Philadelphia art scene, Watson is not only an artist but an educator, activist, and curator. His works are informed by his own memories and “suggested realities”. Richard Watson’s Exhibition Opening will be held on Saturday, July 9th at 3pm. The exhibit is on view from July 9th, 2022 to August 20th, 2022 at Rush Arts Philadelphia Gallery, located at 4956 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA. All works will be available for purchase by emailing rushartsphiladelphia@gmail.com. About Rush Arts Philadelphia Rush Arts Philadelphia’s mission is to build a community-driven art space that provides opportunities to both local artists and curators, focused on community revitalization and relevance to the people of the surrounding neighborhoods, and arts-based educational opportunities for local youth who can benefit from them the most.
About the Artist
Richard J. Watson, an alumnus of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, in Philadelphia, is a multi- faceted artist who is widely recognized as a representational, and collage artist. He has to his credit many public and institutional murals throughout the city of Philadelphia. As one of the most influential figures in the Philadelphia art scene, Watson is not only an artist but an educator, activist, and curator. His works are informed by his own memories and “suggested realities”.
Pick a Dream, and Wait, 2022 Acrylic paint, collage, on wood 32" x 24" $11,700
1
Freedom Expressed, 2021 Acrylic paint, collage, found objects on board 13" diameter $4,550.00
2
Solid as a Rock, 2022 Acrylic paint, collage, found objects on board 13" diameter $4,550.00
3
Stepping Out, 2021 Acrylic paint, collage, on board 21" x 21" $4,550.00
4
For the Love of Music, 2022 Acrylic paint, collage, on board 13" diameter $4,550.00
5
Look in My Eyes, (Tell Me You Love Me), 2022 Acrylic paint, collage, found objects on masonite 32" x 24" $9,750.00
6
Lowland Crossing, 2004 Oil paint over stretched silk screen 46" x 54" $15,60.00
7
Dancing with the Devil, 2021 Acrylic paint, collage, on board 22" x 22" $5,200.00
8
On a “Clear Day”, 2020 Acrylic paint on belt leather 22" x 24" $4,550.00
9
The Brain-Chain Game, 2000 Acrylic paint, collage on over stretched silkscreen 55" x 44" $11,700.00
10
Mountain High, Valley Low, 1998 Acrylic paint, collage on masonite 28" x 20" $7,800.00
11
It’s a Spring Thing, 1996 Acrylic on canvas 63" x 37" $15,600.00
12
If You Had a Choice of Color…, 2022 Acrylic paint, collage, found objects on board 13" x 9" $3,250.00
13
Candlelight Vigil, 2017 Acrylic paint, collage, crayonon masonite 28" x 22" $4,550.00
14
The Cropper’s Share, 2022 Collage, found objects, construction 13” x 7.5"
15
Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
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Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
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Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
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Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
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Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
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Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
21
Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
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Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
23
Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
24
Landscape Series 1-10, 2021 Oil on wood panel 4.5" x 4.5" $1,170.00
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July 2nd, 2022