Dion Neutra and Dulce Stein Presents at the Neutra Institute Museum and Gallery of Silver Lake “Absolutely Wright, new work by Ralph Michael Brekan”. The artist is debuting six new 40” x 54” mixed media collage, assemblage and mixed printmaking artworks. These striking works were created on the backside of drafting drawers from renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin West Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Smithsonian archival project at Taliesin West was completed in 2015 and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation converted the drafting studio into a gift shop. The drafting tables were dismantled and discarded and Archivist, Zach Dean Glover was able to salvage several drawers, with Brekan being gifted six for the purpose of this series in 2016. “I committed myself to salvaging the drawers to become substrates for collage artworks dedicated to Wright,” states Ralph Michael Brekan.
One particular piece in the new series titled, “Plans for a Greater Bagdad,” is especially close to the artist’s heart, incorporating the original 1958 drafts and downscaled facsimiles of those actual drafts into the art piece. The Bagdad Opera House blueprints from this project were repurposed for the Grady Gammage Auditorium in Tempe Arizona. “I have had the great privilege of working throughout this building as a local stagehand in Phoenix, as well as spending my early childhood growing up in a Usonian home designed by a Taliesin progeny, says Brekan. He goes on to say, “My service as a stagehand at Grady Gammage Auditorium holds a strong personal connection for me with Wright and his work.”
Ralph Michael Brekan is an artist and filmmaker currently based in California. He discovered a passion for art at a young age, going on to pursue it in many forms including the visual arts, acting, and filmmaking. He has exhibited his artwork extensively around the world in both group and solo exhibitions. Brekan’s film-work includes, “Decentered”, a 27-minute psychological thriller addressing hot button issues of national security and invasion of privacy. Previously in 2012 he created the experimental feature “Lighthouse Lane”, a Sundance entry, which won seven awards, including best experimental feature at the LA Movie awards.
Dion Neutra and Dulce Stein Presents at the Neutra Institute Museum and Gallery of Silver Lake will host an Artist Reception on August 1st, 2019 from 6:00 to 10:00pm. “Absolutely Wright, new work by Ralph Michael Brekan” will be on display at Neutra Institute Museum and Gallery of Silver Lake from July 31, 2019 through August 25, 2019. Neutra Institute Museum and Gallery of Silver Lake is located at 2379 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039. For further information about the exhibition and work please contact the artist directly at (818) 527-5539 or by email at ralph@brekanarts.com.
