David Jon Kassan - Recent Paintings
Louise and Bernard Palitz Gallery
Syracuse University Lubin House
June 6 -July 29, 2005

The Louise and Bernard Palitz Gallery unveils the latest work by representational painter David Jon Kassan beginning June 6. These new paintings express Kassan's own observations of humanity and its surrounding environment, introspective glimpses of reality.

The series of paintings displayed at the Palitz Gallery focus on portraying figures designed within abstract spaces inspired by Kassan's surroundings in Brooklyn and New York City. Using these gritty and realistic depictions of urban erosion, Kassan conveys the fleeting element of time and the brevity of life itself. Kassan believes the creative artist, if he is to make any real contribution, must honestly and sincerely interpret what he observes and feels. By immersing himself with his subject matter, Kassan is able to infuse his painting with life and realism. Kassan's direction of realism follows the philosophies employed by the Ashcan School of American Realists, including influences such as Robert Henri and John Sloan, as well as the contemporary Spanish realist Antonio Lopez Garcia.

Kassan's paintings have been exhibited in the United Nations, The Park Avenue Armory, The Museum of American Illustration, The National Academy of Design Museum of Fine Art, Gallery 1199, The Cork Gallery, Lincoln Center, The Salmagundi Club, Huntington House Museum, CT, The Wethersfield Museum, CT and in collections worldwide. In addition, Kassan has been honored with numerous awards from The National Academy of Design Museum of Fine Art, The Portrait Society of America, The Society of Illustrators, and Communication Arts. Most recently David was awarded The Newington-Cropsey Foundation’s Travel Grant to paint and study in Italy, where he assembled his thoughts and sketches into a limited edition book titled "Lentamente Italia".

Kassan has also lectured at Universities around the nation including Rochester Institute of Technology, Western Illinois University, Syracuse University, and University of Alabama. Currently David teaches figure drawing at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. He is currently represented by Gallery Henoch, New York, NY and Artists’ House, Philadelphia, PA.

For more information on the artist call 917.549.7643 or visit http://davidkassan.com.