1 1/2   col. (float)

Eugene Andolsek, untitled, ink on graph paper.

FOR 4/25 AMERICAN PRIMITIVE GALLERY EUGENE ANDOLSEK, W/1 CUT

set 4/21 AK/CD #736473

NEW YORK CITY — American Primitive Gallery is presenting the second solo show of “Eugene Andolsek: Visionary Geometric Drawings,” through May 31. For 50 years Andolsek had a secret life creating drawings with vibrant colors and linear complexity. Working at his kitchen table on graph paper with compass and straight edge, he laid out black lines and geometries filling in spaces with colored inks mixed with eye droppers to achieve dazzling compositions. The pictures have elaborate layered patterns with the radiance of stained glass and the complexity of molecular structures.

Once completed, the pictures held no interest for Andolsek and were put in the closet or in a trunk. In fact, Andolsek did not think of himself as an artist nor see any value in what he created beyond the desire to draw them each evening. His drawings gave him a means to cope with his insecurities and dislike for his job a stenographer for the Rock Island Railroad. Concentrating on the intricacies of each drawing would release him from worries and make his humble surroundings disappear as he withdrew into his self-made world of dazzling colors and spaces created on graph paper.

Surprisingly, the pictures were never displayed on his walls nor shown to the outside world. The drawing were discovered by a caregiver, who recognized their uniqueness and contacted museums. The art was first exhibited at the American Folk Art Museum in the show “Obsessive Drawing” curated by Brooke Davis Anderson. What Andolsek humbly suggested might make colorful place mats for lunch are now recognized as a significant art world discovery. American Primitive Gallery is at 594 Broadway, Suite 205, between Houston and Prince Street. For further information 212-966-1530 or www.americanprimitive.com