Aaron Bivins Abstract – Now extended through September 12!
A solo exhibition of energizing—and surprising—new abstract work by celebrated Toledo artist, Aaron S. Bivins
Known for his lush, impressionistic landscape paintings, Toledo artist Aaron S. Bivins debuts a bold new series in his first solo exhibition of abstract works. The exhibit, which began April 10, was orginially scheduled to end June 27 but has been extended, due to changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The exhibition will remain on view through September 12, 2020.
The public may view the artwork remotely by viewing the Around the Corner online catalogue & price list. Visitors may also set a private appointment to tour the exhibition via Facetime or Zoom and enjoy a “virtual reception” experience.
In his artist statement for the exhibit, Bivins describes his new venture into abstraction as an initially daunting departure from his artistic comfort zone, but a necessary one to expand his growth as a painter. The resulting recent series marks a bold new direction for the artist. The paintings are audacious—in scale and execution—forming adroit and contemporary statements of abstract expressionism, completely different from his well-known landscapes and jazz portraits, yet instantly recognizable as his own. Viewers familiar with Aaron Bivins’ work will delight in this new path he has embarked upon, turning a corner in his artistic career.
Take a video tour of the Around the Corner: Aaron Bivins Abstract exhibit!
Aaron S. Bivins (Toledo, Ohio) attended The University of Toledo in Ohio, receiving a B.A. in Art, as well as a Teaching Certification. He has also studied watercolor landscape painting with the late prominent Toledo watercolorist, Walter Chapman and acrylic and oil landscape painting with noted Toledo artist, Richard Dziak.
Working primarily in acrylic, oil and watercolor, he also explores other media. Mr. Bivins is a former junior high school art teacher in the Toledo Public School system—he now serves as a painting demonstrator and conducts watercolor and acrylic workshops and classes, as well as jurying art shows throughout the region.
Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards, including several Best of Show and First awards, at shows such as the Crosby Festival of the Arts (receiving a First Award in 2015), Toledo Botanical Gardens; Art on the Mall, The University of Toledo (First Award in 2012, 2019); the Roots of Diversity Multicultural Art Show, Arts Commission of Greater Toledo; Arts, Beats & Eats in Pontiac, Michigan; the Findlay Fine Arts Festival (in Ohio); the Marion Art and Music Festival (in Ohio); the Salt Fork Arts & Crafts Festival, Cambridge, Ohio (First Award in 2016); Harrison Rally Day for the Arts Fine Art Show, Perrysburg, Ohio (Best of Show in 2012) and many others.
Bivins’ paintings are represented at many galleries throughout the Northwest Ohio region and his numerous community and commercial gallery exhibits include two solo exhibitions at Flatlanders Gallery in Blissfield, Michigan; a 2017 solo exhibit at American Frame in Maumee, Ohio; 20 North Gallery’s 2017 Luminosity and yearly contributions to both the past annual Juneteenth Celebration at the Toledo Museum of Art and 20 North Gallery’s annual Black History Month exhibits—for which he was the featured artist in 2010.
In 2015, he was honored with a solo exhibition, Great Migration, at the Main Library Gallery of Toledo Lucas County Public Library. The exhibit was inspired by the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to northern US cities in the early to mid-20th century. The show comprised twenty watercolor portraits of African American citizens, painted from historical and contemporary photographs, including some of Bivins’ own family, connecting contemporary audiences to the vast historical narrative of the Migration.
Aaron Bivins’ paintings are included in many private collections throughout the country, as well as in the corporate collection of ProMedica at The Toledo Hospital. Mr. Bivins is an Associate member of the Ohio Watercolor Society and Past-President of the Northwestern Ohio Watercolor Society. He is also a member of the Toledo Artists Club.
To schedule your Facetime or Zoom appointment, please contact 20 North Gallery at least one day in advance: 419-241-2400 or info@20northgallery.com
