“Nicholas Howey’s paintings are minimal yet full of power—saturated canvases of colors punctuated by graphic, geometric forms. ”
“My work has both a primitive and gestural nature. It is my own alphabet of of new forms. There is little relation to nature, the human figure or landscape. The image is central to the meaning of the painting. The background is about pure color on which abstract images float. The depth of field is variable.
Some works are made without brushes. Literally handmade objects. Forms are often repeated and brought back in various and different incarnations to promote a continuity of purpose. There is always a sense of play and spontaneity.” — NH
Nicholas Howey was born and raised in western Pennsylvania. He has a B.A. from University of Pittsburgh an a M.A. from New York University, both in fine arts. From 1981-1983, Howey worked on the productions of Robert Whitman's performance pieces at a DIA Foundation building in New York City and in 1982, he traveled to Belgrade for his first solo exhibition. In 1986 Robert Rauschenberg curated an exhibition of his paintings at Edison College in Fort Myers, Florida. His paintings have appeared on two covers of the Italian art magazine, Tema Celeste. Howey lived in the city until 2009, when he moved to Bridgehampton, N.Y. where he currently maintains a studio.
Howey has exhibited widely both in the United States and abroad, including Groninger Museum, Groninger, The Netherlands; Norjyllands Kuntsmuseum, Aalborg, Denmark; Espace Dieu, Paris, France; Artiscope, Brussels, Belgium; Sergio Tossi Galleria In Arco, Turin, Italy, Galleria Otto, Bologna, Italy, Galleria Loft, Valdagno, Italy; Bianchi Nuovi Gallery, Rome, Italy; Citizens Gallery, Yokohama, Japan; Leo Castelli Uptown, Max Lang Gallery, Christinerose Gallery, and Greenberg Wilson Gallery, New York, NY; Guild Hall, East Hampton, NY;Evansville Museum, Evansville, IN; Nancy Solomon Gallery, Atlanta, GA; Schmidt Contemporary Art, Saint Louis, MO; Margulies Taplin Gallery, Coral Gables, FLA; Richard Feigan Gallery, Chicago,IL; and Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York.
Nicholas Howey by Jaime Lopez
ARTIST'S CAROUSEL
rotating exhibit of current & recently sold work
NICHOLAS HOWEY speaks to folioeast’s COCO MYERS
CM/ WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU PRIMARILY USE? AND WHAT APPEALS TO YOU ABOUT THE MATERIALS?
NH/ I use mostly acrylic on canvas and occasionally watercolors. Acryclic on canvas because it can be created like a drawing in the sense that it can be “erased” since it dries quickly and a new image can be applied in a few minutes. Watercolors because I like working in a large formatted page.
CM/ IS THERE ANY ASPECT OF YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS THAT YOU FEEL IS PARTICULARLY UNIQUE TO YOUR ART? THE PALETTE OR THE SHAPES OR FORMS YOU ARE DRAWN TO?
NH/ In a lot of my earlier paintings I used my hands instead of brushes. In my later paintings I still used my hands to paint the central image. The shapes and forms are from my own personal vocabulary which I create instinctively without references. They are purely abstract.
CM/ WHAT IS IT ABOUT ABSTRACTION THAT APPEALS TO YOU?
NH/ The element of surprise, since the forms are new and new to me.
CM/ WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE EAST END AND WHEN?
NH/ The feeling and existence of space and extraordinary light. I’ve been coming to the Hamptons since the early 80’s and moved here permanently in 2010.
CM/ DOES THIS AREA INFLUENCE YOUR WORK? HOW SO?
NH/ The area gives me the liberty and privilege of reflection in a welcoming and serene atmosphere.
CM/DO YOU FEEL INSPIRED BY THE HISTORY OF ART ON THE EAST END?
NH/ Certainly, with all the innovative and important work that has been done here.
CM/ DO YOU OWN WORK BY EAST END ARTISTS? ARE THERE ANY ARTISTS WHO YOU WOULD LOVE TO OWN?
NH/ I own work by two early east end visitors, Rpbert Rauschenberg and jasper Johns. I would love to own a series of watercolors by Alexis Rockman of the indigenous birds and fowl of this area, a bronze water inspired sculpture by Brian Hunt and a florescent wall sculpture by Keith Sonnier.