Artists studying art transforms and informs their work. Delve into how Piet Mondrian, Romare Bearden, environmental installations, and Cuban art were influenced by East Asian philosophy. What did Western artists take from East Asian art and ideas to create a holistic perspective that focuses on concepts rather than formal analysis? Each of these artists and movements, and others, will be explored as we unravel the layers of meaning behind each work of art through slides, lectures, discussion, and the viewing of original art. Then take a personal journey to see how those diverse influences coalesce into the work of art of this international artist/ art historian who has studied this and transformed it into her own work.

Gail Gelburd is an artist, art historian, and curator who has exhibited work nationally and internationally. Gelburd has a PhD in art history and degrees in art, and Eastern philosophy. She has lectured, organized and shown exhibitions at the Whitney Museum, Los Angeles County Museum, Williams College, Brooklyn Museum, Berkshire Museum as well as in Cuba, Korea, Canada, India, Australia, Taiwan, and Greece. Author of more than a dozen publications, they range from exploring the work of Henry Moore, Romare Bearden, John Cage, Patricia Johanson, Richard Serra, Robert Morris, Agnes Denes, Jose Bedia, and Belkis Ayon. Gelburd can tell personal stories about her meetings with them. For each artist and their work, she investigates their more profound meanings. She has worked at the Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Museum as well as others. She was a Professor and Department Chair in Connecticut. Gelburd’s own art similarly delves into the philosophical discourse. Her work combines photography and encaustic painting to create two dimensional images and life size sculptures. Participants will also be invited to her open studio event.

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