The life and work of Richard Gerstner will be celebrated with a show at Flemington DIY during the month of November. From his screen printings on the covers of Newsweek to the intricate, detailed color works that occupied his later years, the over 50-piece exhibit features a diverse array of works from the early 1970s to 2023, including his final piece.
Accomplished in painting, drawing, and screen printing, he developed a unique approach to drawing using rapidograph drafting pens. The extraordinary color in these drawings is remarkable on its own, but more so since Richard was color blind.
Richard was an artist his entire life. From the child lying on the living room floor to the end of his life, sitting at his drawing board, he was drawing. The fact that he was color blind never slowed him down.
An accomplished painter and illustrator, his Photographic Silkscreen work also gained much attention, as his work was on many covers of Newsweek International Drawing. He had been devoted to this pursuit for the past 15 years and most of the most colorful works on display were created through a very time-intensive process, using very precise Koh-I-Nor Rapidiograph (drafting) pens. He would mark with what color they were on the pen so he could use the intended colors.
Art pervaded his life. He created map overlays and graphics maps for the US Army (1966-1968) before moving back in Dayton, Ohio, where he worked as a commercial artist/Assistant Art Director for a printing company.
In 1972 he packed his Volkswagen and drove to Manhattan to search for work. This trip paid off handsomely, as he first became the Art Editor at TV Star Parade Magazine, then illustrator for Lee & Young Communications before his 21 years at Newsweek..
Commissioned by Imelda Marcos for portrait work, his art is on file at the Museum of Modern Art (Manhattan), the Dayton Art Institute (Ohio) and the Parkersburg Art Museum (West Virginia). His work can also be found in private collections (including Bill and Hillary Clinton) in the US, London, Tokyo, and Manilla.
In 1994 Richard went to Viet Nam for Holt International Children’s Services to photograph orphans and create photographic silkscreens for a traveling show. The show opened in 1995 at the Senate Russell Building in Washington, DC, hosted by Hillary Clinton. With Kodak as its corporate sponsor the show then traveled to the State Department and the Capitol Rotunda in Trenton before traveling across the country.
A man of many talents, Richard also dedicated himself to WDVR-FM, where he was Director of Development and hosted his own local radio talk show for 8 years.
Any art purchased must remain on display until the end of the month. Please email flemingtonDIY@gmail.com with the number of the piece you wish to purchase. Thank you!
Open Gallery Hours
Tuesday, Nov. 8: 12-4pm
Thursday, Nov. 10: 11:30am-6pm
Sunday, Nov. 13: 1-4pm * Opening Reception
Monday, Nov. 14: 11am-4pm
Tuesday, Nov. 15: 12-4pm
Thursday, Nov. 17: 11:30am-6pm
Friday, Nov. 18: 11am-4pm
Monday, Nov. 21: 11am-4pm
Tuesday, Nov. 22: 12-4pm
Tuesday, Nov. 29: 11:30am-6pm
*Additional showings available by appointment.