Frank Perna

Artist

Artistic Development

Influenced by the old masters and the Surrealists my earlier work could be described as hyper-realist/surrealist. After graduating from O.C.A.D. in 1982, I abandoned these methods and focused on abstraction influenced by Klee, Kandinsky, and eventually Sigmar Polke and Gerhard Richter.  During this time I also completed graphic works in the form of two underground black and white comic books and, subsequently three full colour comic books.

After a series of one-man shows in the eighties, I participated annually in various artist curated group shows from 1989 to the present.

My work has come full circle into a more representational format. My current work using projections as reference, developed during a decade of scenic work for film. 

I am also developing a series of small photo-realist paintings that source imagery from worldwide stock exchanges and focus on microcosms of their blurred activities.

I am continuing my "obsession" series in a show at the Joseph D. Carrier Gallery in Toronto, September 2003. 

Other works in progress include a series of painted abstractions that border between non-objective, landscape and figurative absurdities. 

I'm also currently developing a collaborative multi-media project called "The Uncommitted" using live music sampling, live action painting and multi-layered film projections.

Frank Perna