HANK KEARSLEY: BIO

hank kearsleyHANK KEARSLEY is an artist and educator who makes his social vision aesthetic. His life spans an America prior to the civil rights movement, through an America still struggling with racism and a world where oppression continues to exist. Hence, the social issues addressed in Hank's paintings and drawings are the result of ongoing personal experiences.

Recently, his painting has become simplified in the use of primary colors: red, green, yellow, blue. The paintings achieve variety by color contrast, rich painting surface, and layers of pure color over one another. The intensity of spatial color relationships allow the viewer to see a much wider range of color.

Many of the paintings are figurative, evolving from people and places Hank has known. The drawings evolve from sketch books and become vehicles for paintings.

Hank blends together aesthetic issues with formalist painting in a strong social vision, striving to find the truth, but most importantly raising questions for the viewer.

Hank has studied under Hale Woodruff, Esteban Vicente, Helen Frankenthaler and Louise Nevelson. Exhibits include one-person shows at Museum of the National Center for Afro-American Artists, Goddard College, Long Island University and group shows that include the International Juried Show: NJ Center for Visual Arts (Best of Show Award), Abney Gallery, II Designing Women Gallery, Michael Stone Collection, Newton Arts Center, Vermont Studio Center, Westfield State College, Kottler Gallery, New York University, The Jewett Art Center: Wellesley College, The Piano Factory, Natick Arts Center, International Exhibit: Tokyo, Japan, Hudson River Museum. Hank's work may be viewed at Babson College's Horn Library as part of their permanent collection. He has also participated in Newton Open Studios.

photo: self portrait