Portland Artist Ralph Pugay Returns with Solo Exhibition

After spending summer and early fall participating in four artist residencies across North America, Ralph Pugay returns to Portland, Oregon, for his second solo exhibition at Upfor titled A Spiritual Guide to Brute Force. The exhibition opens Nov. 1 and remains on view through Dec. 22, 2018.

In addition to the vibrant paintings Pugay is known for, the exhibition includes a series of drawings created during his time at the Rauschenberg Residency at Captiva, Florida and limited-edition screen prints begun at Atelier Circulaire in Montreal, Canada.

Of the new work, Pugay says, "I wanted to find balance in the act of simplification. Many of the works in this set of drawings prioritize the creation of significance through efficiency. Most were made after playing around in the pool at both the Rauschenberg and Joan Mitchell Center Residencies…Beyond the privilege of having convenient access to swimming, being in the pool gave me a lot of time to reflect in solitude, to sit with my feelings while recognizing the boundaries of my body in relation to the weight of the water. The gestures one might use while swimming easily translated into the fluidity of ink drawing.”

One element of the simplification and efficiency Pugay sought comes from the use of newsprint.

Pugay’s drawing were made on a pad of paper, allowing ink to seep through to the sheets below, informing what would be drawn next. Each newsprint drawing contributed to the creation of the others, accumulating an odd and endearing cast of characters and scenarios.

What:

Ralph Pugay, A Spiritual Guide to Brute Force

Where:

Upfor, 929 NW Flanders St., Portland, 97209

When:

First Thursday opening November 1, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Artist talk with special event Wednesday, November 14, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

First Thursday with the artist December 6, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Gallery hours Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and by appointment