You don’t have to be rich or part of the avant-garde to own and appreciate an original piece of art.
You just have to be willing to find what you like and make it your own.
Oxford area residents will soon have an opportunity to view and purchase pieces of original art by well-known artist and Oxford resident Richard Halladay.
Approximately 160 of Halladay’s works will be on display at Margot’s Gallery and Frame in downtown Oxford from Friday, Sept. 19 through Saturday, Oct. 4.
Billed as ‘HALLADAY at The MARGOT,? the one man art show will feature a wide variety of the artist’s abstract oil works including his internationally-acclaimed large circular paintings (see photo), which consist of canvases stretched onto his handmade wooden frames.
Some of Halladay’s smaller pieces combine meaningful words (such as ‘life, peace, joy and love?) in various languages (English, Arabic, Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian and German) with startling overlays and dashes of color.
Gallery owner Margot Van Horn described Halladay’s work as having a ‘Jackson Pollock feel to it.?
Pollock (1912-1956) was a famous American abstract painter.
Gallery owners and critics have described Halladay’s work as ‘unrestricted by the usual boundaries and shapes? with a combination of ‘static and fluid qualities that surprise both eye and mind.?
‘This American-born artist brings a fresh, exciting technique to abstract oil painting,? said one critic.
Part of Halladay’s mission as an artist is to make art a part of people’s daily routines.
‘I want to make original art affordable for everybody so they have art in their lives every day,? he said. ‘When you own a piece of original art, every time you look at it, you’re going to see something different.?
Halladay hopes his work will reach and inspire today’s youth.
‘I really want to build an appreciation for art among young people,? he said.
Art lovers attending Halladay’s show will be given the opportunity to win one of his paintings.
Twenty-six national flags from around the world ? all painted by Halladay ? will be on display during the show. People will be asked to match the flags with the correct countries.
The winner will be drawn from all the correct entries on the last day of the show.
‘I don’t think people have an appreciation for flags the way they should,? Halladay said.
Halladay’s show kicks off with opening receptions on Sept. 19 and 20 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Margot’s Gallery and Frame is located at 5 S. Washington St. in downtown Oxford.
For more information call (248) 628-5398.