![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/rsz_opening_reception.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nInstallation view at the Opening Reception. Photo: Marco Rosada<\/p>\n
Arriving early enough at the vernissage to talk the artist, allowed me to get to the bottom of what Jacobson meant by \u201chyperrealism,\u201d and how it differed from his definition of \u201cphotorealism.\u201d The artist admits to using photographs as a reference, but ultimately doesn\u2019t like his paintings to resemble photographs. A typical photorealist lick is to employ soft focus to blur details. Jacobson has learned that our eyes continue to refocus as we scan the subject at hand, whether its background or foreground. From this I speculated that the artist either has 20\/20 vision or uses bifocals.<\/p>\n
Richard Jacobson, That kind of morning, oil on panel, 48″ x 48″. Courtesy of Abbozzo Gallery<\/p>\n The works \u201cNailed Offering\u201d and \u201cAnother Offering\u201d intrigued me. The first work depicted a tulip with its stem affixed to the surface by a sturdy nail. The second painting displayed a chrysanthemum crudely taped to its background by duct tape, much as one would cross a T. The symbolism to any student of Renaissance or religious art would necessarily connect the works to the centuries-old tradition of depictions of Christ\u2019s crucifixion. It surprised and intrigued me to learn that, to Jacobson the works alluded instead to something closer to home, domestic abuse.<\/p>\n Richard Jacobson, Nailed Offering (left) and Another Offering (right), each oil on panel 36″ x 60″<\/p>\n The panel, \u201cLearning to Walk\u201d clearly points to a childhood steeped in gunslinger lore and other pop culture references. Through the loving honing of details of family photos, book illustrations, toy guns, and assorted memorabilia, the artist captures and deepfreezes his subject. Through the act of painting, the objects and the memories associated with them, are fixed and immortalized into a kind of painterly afterlife.<\/p>\n Artist Richard Jacobson and his Learning to Walk, oil on panel 36″ x 60″. Photo: Steve Rockwell<\/p>\n It is some of these qualities in the artist\u2019s work that resonated with gallery owner Ineke Zigrossi. This being the artist\u2019s first exhibition with the Abbozzo Gallery, she said, \u201cRichard Jacobson\u2019s high realism art and the notion, that there is always something more personal behind the subject matter, inspired us to offer him a full gallery exhibition.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard Jacobson, The Witness, oil on panel, 48″ x 48″. Courtesy of Abbozzo Gallery<\/p>\n In response to my question of how she got into the gallery business, Zigrossi stated, \u201cAfter Corporate life gave me the \u2018Golden handshake,\u2019 I was inspired to open a gallery from a friend who ran another gallery in Waterdown. I loved the environment of being surrounded by art, meeting the artists, the openings, the marketing, and talking to customers. My background is not at all in the practicing arts, it became a love acquired through travel. A mentor encouraged me to open my own gallery that focused on original and contemporary art and in turn, I opened Abbozzo Gallery in Oakville in 1993. We celebrated 25 years in business this spring. We will hold an official exhibition in the fall focusing on these past years.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n