Invisible NYC is proud to host, Game of Death, a solo exhibit by mixed-media artist Colin Stinson. Mr. Stinson is an award winning, multi-disciplinary artist with studios in New York and San Francisco. He also boasts an extensive resume of exhibitions around the globe and has received numerous awards. In the U.S., he has shown at museums and galleries and was a Djerassi Artist in Residence. Mr. Stinson has taught at the California College of Art (CCA), and has presented lectures on topics ranging from art technique to philosophy. He is the author of two books, “Ice Ram” and “Dust to Dust” which includes an audio CD. In addition to fine art, since 2001 Mr. Stinson’s studio has designed and produced successful, limited edition products. More information can be found at www.colinstinson.com.

The show’s title, Game of Death referen ces the title of Bruce Lee’s 1973 film, which was unfinished due to Mr. Lee’s death. The film was intended to present a philosophical treatment of martial arts by focusing on the idea that one has to adapt to changing circumstances. This free flowing adaptation is reflected in the methods and processes used to create many of the paintings in the show. The paradox of death and games is a visual and metaphorical undercurrent throughout the exhibit. In particular, the cycle of life and death, creation and destruction, and ultimately the mysteries surrounding death and the creation of matter in the universe form the basis for the works’ internal dialog. The paintings in the exhibit allude to sorcery, magic, alchemy, and ghost worlds as well as organic morphology.

While Mr. Stinson’s paintings range from abstracted grids of meticulously organized color and pattern – some that materialize into recognizable images such as skulls – to more realistic paintings of subject s that recall eerie Japanese prints and iconography, tattoo ! culture, graffiti, car culture, and anime, they are also strongly rooted in Western art history and museum culture. Many of the paintings are presented in frames fabricated specifically for the show. One such mounting, a custom oxblood colored frame, presents the work in a deep maroon silk matt. Mr Stinson states, “I can’t say that any one painting in the show represents all the others but [each work] has several elements of my style in it. The show waffles back and forth between representation and abstraction and tight and loose ‘treatments’ and is definitely unified by overarching themes”