YOUNGSTOWN, OH.- The Butler Institute of American Art presents the exhibition Bob Ziering: Twilight of the Gorilla on view from September 10 through November 19, 2017.
Twilight of the Gorilla is a series of large, personal and compelling pastel paintings conceived to enlighten the audience and conjure concern for the plight of the Mountain Gorilla. Together, these images provoke respect for the subject and create a powerful exhibition, universal in its implications. It challenges viewers to reflect on the human/primate parallel and encourages them to face the seriousness of the endangerment of these majestic animals and their natural habitats.
Bob Ziering's affection and concern for the quickly disappearing ape population is obvious. This exhibition not only reveals the artist's sensitivity toward these remarkable animals but the work also asks us to look at these subjects as visually fascinating creatures. Ziering employs an expressionistic approach, emphasizing both line and textural qualities in the work. The artist has created a body of work which is important on many levels. Let's hope that his artistic journey reveals much. - Dr. Louis Zona, Executive Director, the Butler Institute of American Art
A native New Yorker, Bob Ziering studied art at the High School Of Music and Art in New York City, then completed his bachelors degree at New York University. He enlisted in the US Air Force, became lieutenant, and served as a basic training instructor. He acted as base artist, illustrating training aids and books, and was commissioned to do a series of portraits of senior officers. Upon completing his military service he studied graphic design and illustration at the School of Visual Arts.
For over 40 years, Ziering has enjoyed a successful career as both an agent and artist. His work is seen in print ads and video productions all over the world with a client list including many of the Fortune 500 companies, as well as cultural institutions such as The Metropolitan Opera and Cirque du Soleil. He has earned several ANDY awards for his work, the highest honor awarded to commercial illustrators. Bob was also one of the founding members of the Graphic Artists Guild, and is a member of the Pastel Society of America.
Bob has always been determined to divide his studio time in order to express and explore his personal projects, giving birth to a large body of work, several series and many diverse themes including Twilight of the Gorilla.
Bob has taught illustration and commercial art in New York at The School of Visual Arts, The Fashion Institute of Technology, and Pratt Institute. He worked as a volunteer in the forensic anthropology department at The American Museum of Natural History, where he assisted in the reconstructions of pre-homo sapiens for the permanent AMNH exhibition Hall of Human Origins, which opened February 2007.
Bob Ziering: Twilight of the Gorilla was first exhibited in New York City, at The Central Park Zoo in 1994, and in 1999 it was exhibited in Chicago at The Lincoln Park Zoo.