Kinsman Robinson Galleries Presents 'A Tribute to John Newman: Retrospective;, 4/6

Reception: Saturday, April 6, 2:00-4:00 p.m. Artist present. All are welcome. Catalogue Available

A Tribute To John Newman is a retrospective exhibition that chronicles the monumental shift for Canadian artist John Newman from working right handed for the first five decades to working left handed over the last four years. After a sixteen-month struggle to conquer Transverse Myelitis and a post-stroke rehabilitation, Newman has persevered with his art. Lost after the stroke, John Newman's drawing arm was an integral part of his being.

The gift of the book "The Brain that Changes itself" by Dr. Norman Doidge, from a friend who is a retired scientist, gave Newman the inspiration to transfer an incredible amount of his learned skills from his dominant right hand to his subordinate left hand in a very short time. Dr. Doidge himself has taken a professional interest in Newman's case and graciously agreed to write the catalogue introduction. The catalogue can be viewed or downloaded here in PDF format:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/131686665/John-Newman-2013-Catalogue-Digital.

This retrospective exhibition features thirty recent pastels documenting Newman's left handed work and twenty-five pastels, drawings and paintings from as early as 1970.

About John Newman

The sophistication of Newman's compositions and sustained figure drawing places him among the finest figurative painters of the twentieth century such as Balthus and Delvaux, Grosz and Freud, Tooker and Neel-a reward that is owed in part to Newman's lifelong devotion to drawing. This exceptional skill provides a unique foundation for his work in watercolours, pastels, oils and mixed media. While his palette changed over the years and his style evolved, he has remained true to his vision. Newman seeks to express his inner feelings and personal themes rather than merely to convey a painterly impression of the external world.