‍

Jupiter Gallery Presents “What Isn’t Staged”

August 2nd to October 4th, 2016; First Friday Reception August 5th

PORTLAND, Oregon  – From August 2nd to October 4th, 2016, Gallery @ the Jupiter Hotel will feature the works of local Portland artist Paul Rutz. The installation, “What Isn’t Staged" highlights Rutz’ ability to play with the rules of painting, asking whether Renaissance perspective is the best way to convey the illusion of depth. The First Friday Eastside art walk artist opening reception will be held on Friday, August 5th, 2016, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Paul X. Rutz received his Ph.D. in Theory and Cultural Studies from Purdue University in 2011 after writing a dissertation on combat art and the Iraq war. That year Rutz took his portrait painting practice to Portland, OR, where he develops life-size oil paintings working almost exclusively with live models. For every picture in the show, Paul has choreographed every body and prop in his studio, sketched them, repositioned them and started over.

“I make up rules for myself. For the paintings hanging here, I measured every body part and every plate or spoon at exactly life size, so to some extent all these pictures communicate what it’s like to be there sizing up the subject,” says Rutz. “That’s why I carved through panels in some of these pictures, setting real shadows against trompe l’oeil shadows. It’s a chance to indulge in some echo of the 3-D parallax we see when we walk past things.”

Paul Rutz’ past exhibitions include solo shows at both Portland and Clatsop Community Colleges and group shows at Mark Woolley Gallery and the Smithsonian Institution. His series of dual-media portraits of combat veterans, titled Between Here and There, has traveled to galleries in Portland, Vashon Island, WA, and the Oregon Military Museum. Rutz also writes about visual culture, with recent publications in the Huffington Post, Modern Fiction Studies, and Cincinnati Review.

INSIDER SECRET

The Jupiter Hotel has been an incubator for small businesses and a supporter of the arts. Their First Friday Artisan Series is an opportunity for both local and visiting guests to experience and expand the concept of art into an exploration of all of the senses: visual, taste, touch, smell and sound. The First Friday event is an opportunity to treat attendees to a variety of sensory stimulation and support the local artisans that make Portland a unique and wonderful place to live. Complimentary beverages and light appetizers will be available for guests. For more information on Paul Rutz and the Gallery @ the Jupiter, please visit galleryatthejupiter.com.

DETAILS

Jupiter Hotel
800 East Burnside
Portland, OR 97214
info@jupiterhotel.com