New Works By

Robert Phelps

and

Thomas Phelps

Robert Phelps Portfolio

Opening Show And Reception
Saturday, June 14, 2008
6:00 PM TO 9:00 PM

Interior Motives
1110 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33705
TEL 727. 898. 6061 FAX 727.898.9125

Robert and Thomas Phelps are two brothers who share a common vision.  Raised in the wild mountains of Appalachia, they bring a deep-rooted sense of the natural to their paintings.  Both are self taught artists with vastly distinctive styles.  As in their personal lives, their artwork has a profoundly symbiotic, complementary feel when viewed together.

Robert focuses almost exclusively on the figure.  His strong sense of line and keen observance of detail reveal the paradox of the body–the sometimes awkward juxtaposition of body and mind, the centers of power and weakness, and the delicate balance between the inner and outer worlds.  Using figure as archetype, Robert primarily explores the world of natural man and the roles that define him in society.   Often painting celebrities and famous figures, he carefully investigates the ancient roots of humanity that make up our collective pantheon of modern heroes.

Thomas paints with an abstract style that explores the paint as it’s own language.  He creates refined yet entropic vistas that seek to participate with the will of the paint.  Every canvass is painted in complete privacy with concentration devoted to the organic process.  Thomas enters into the fluid world of abstraction with a daring surrender to the present.

Gladiator: the Art of Fighting, their new show on June 14-June 30 at Interior Motives Gallery in St. Petersburg, is a fierce visual foray into the world of battle.  The metaphor of fighting has long represented our collective and individual struggles–wrestling with our angels and demons, grappling with tough decisions and more currently the subtle bludgeoning witnessed in the political arenas.  The heroic triumphs and devastating defeats of the fighter resound through every aspect of our culture.  Our movies, our songs and our headlines all celebrate the art of strategy and the tides of war.

Since training with local master Ali Tareh, Robert became obsessed with the world of the fighter.  Long a fan of the UFC, he witnessed at close range the Herculean will and iron-forged skill of the professional fighter.  Gaining a profound respect for the brotherhood of fighters, he dedicated long months to observing the ways of the warrior.  Seeking to express the heart of the subject matter, quite a few of the paintings were created in an unconventional style using only the artist’s hands and fists.