Craven Allen Gallery

PAUL HRUSOVSKY

Biography

Paul Hrusovsky earned a BFA in painting and an MA in art education from Ohio University and completed post graduate studies at Washington University. He has exhibited widely and his paintings can be found in the numerous private and corporate collections.  An arts advocate and educator, he has taught students at every level from kindergarten through university.

Artist Statement

Ten years ago, I first painted images reminiscent of my childhood textbooks.  These acquired images provided comfort as I was growing up but I was fascinated with the whole new meanings they took on when as an adult I isolated them from the original context.

I have now returned to these images with a new interest in making vibrant statements with size, shape, color and texture.  Again I explore family relationships and in doing so I examine sexuality, fear, joy and anxiety.  I sometimes start with a story, develop a story or change a story.  Each work has a special place in my life and some I can share.

Teaching has always been a big part of my life.  Children always inspired me with their fresh, naive and free images. George Jenne was one of those students and today I still look at cutouts and drawings he gave me when he was a child.  I now describe George as the “hipster” artist working with an old man.  He has challenged me, influenced me and is a big part of my fond memories of time spent in the schools in Chapel Hill.