SYRACUSE, NY.- GALLERY 4040 Presents: "Constructivism", an exhibit featuring new photographs by Robert Graham, April 10 to May 23, 2014.

The 22 photographs in Robert Graham’s CONSTRUCTIVISM exhibition are inspired by some of the great movements in early 20th century art. The photographs which follow range from fully representational to fully abstract and there are, in most of them, elements of Futurism, Suprematism, Constructivism, Bauhaus, Cubist fragmentation and Social(ist) Realism. Graham cites specifically works by Kasimir Malevich, Wassily Kandinsky and Alexander Rodchenko as having major influence behind this new series. Where the Russian Constructivist artists were applying geometric forms in their art from that reflected the rapid development of modern buildings, machines and technology in Europe around 1913 to the 1940’s, Graham captures the presence of the Constructivist aesthetic in unexpected areas ranging from Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, New York to the swimming pool at FDR's Polio Sanitarium in Warm Springs, Georgia. Stark contrast, geometric forms, implied function and absence of decoration follow the Constructivist movement in Graham’s work. There is a strong presence of Rodchenko’s aesthetic in his utilization of strong angles from above and below that postpones recognition. While Graham’s photographs follow Russian Constructivism in the formal and historical sense, his photographs in the exhibition at Gallery 4040 are from various locations throughout the United States.

Graham's "Constructivism" exhibition at GALLERY 4040 coincides with the release of his 144 page hardcover book by the same title. For this occasion Graham states, "I put this exhibit and companion book under the Constructivist umbrella in part because of an affinity for Russian art, music, and literature."

Robert Graham was born on Valentine’s Day in 1954 and grew up in Penfield, New York. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York and his Master of Arts Degree from the University of Rochester. He taught History and Literature for many years in both middle school and high school. His father’s influence sparked Mr. Graham’s interest in photography. He lives with his wife, Leslie in Irondequoit, New York. CONSTRUCTIVISM is his seventh photographic project.