Frederic C. Kaplan
Observations: America Tomorrow? (In the Manner Of)
This show is a departure for me. For many years, my art avoided uncomfortable topics, alluding to them only subtly, if at all, with abstract symbolism and vague metaphor. But recent events in America, as well as in the larger world, compelled me to meet those events head-on with my art. Indeed, these new artworks not only confront the rising tensions and discord directly, some pieces do so with extreme bluntness, even crudeness.
My new work began as a reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs Decision in 2022. Dobbs overturned the Court’s own 1973 Roe vs. Wade Decision, upending long settled law that guaranteed the right of abortion. Like many, I was incensed by the decision. And, like many, I was concerned by the direction I observed the court and nation taking. I wondered what would be America Tomorrow?
I began sketching out concepts for artworks in response to this question. The first painting to come out of this effort was Hammer of Justice?
While working on Hammer, I stumbled across a reproduction of a painting by Paul Gauguin titled Yellow Christ. Yellow Christ inspired my Yellow Chirstina. Yellow Christina portrays a pregnant woman nailed to a cross, referencing the formidable influence of extremist religious beliefs on the current Court and on Dobbs.
Because of the religious overtones, I decided that Yellow Christina should be developed as part of a triptych, a common format for much Christian religious art. I also made the decision that, since Yellow Christina melds the imagery and style of Gauguin with my own physics-influenced approach, the two side panels of the triptych would also derive their imagery from the work of other significant artists. The outcome was a panel that incorporates the characters created by Charles Schulz (Good Grief!), and another panel that draws on the uncomplicated figures designed by Keith Haring (Pride in America). Together, the three panels of the triptych became Judgments.
Imitating the work of other artists allowed for a range of styles and methods beyond my customary approach. This resulted in a stylistically eclectic body of work. It also provided the freedom to use unusual materials and create imagery atypical for me. Serendipitously, this tied in well with a secondary theme for this new series of artworks, which acknowledges the many varied kinds of people, cultures, and ways of thinking that are America. Hence, the show’s subtitle: In the Manner Of.
This show is a departure for me. For many years, my art avoided uncomfortable topics, alluding to them only subtly, if at all, with abstract symbolism and vague metaphor. But recent events in America, as well as in the larger world, compelled me to meet those events head-on with my art. Indeed, these new artworks not only confront the rising tensions and discord directly, some pieces do so with extreme bluntness, even crudeness.
My new work began as a reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs Decision in 2022. Dobbs overturned the Court’s own 1973 Roe vs. Wade Decision, upending long settled law that guaranteed the right of abortion. Like many, I was incensed by the decision. And, like many, I was concerned by the direction I observed the court and nation taking. I wondered what would be America Tomorrow?
I began sketching out concepts for artworks in response to this question. The first painting to come out of this effort was Hammer of Justice?
While working on Hammer, I stumbled across a reproduction of a painting by Paul Gauguin titled Yellow Christ. Yellow Christ inspired my Yellow Chirstina. Yellow Christina portrays a pregnant woman nailed to a cross, referencing the formidable influence of extremist religious beliefs on the current Court and on Dobbs.
Because of the religious overtones, I decided that Yellow Christina should be developed as part of a triptych, a common format for much Christian religious art. I also made the decision that, since Yellow Christina melds the imagery and style of Gauguin with my own physics-influenced approach, the two side panels of the triptych would also derive their imagery from the work of other significant artists. The outcome was a panel that incorporates the characters created by Charles Schulz (Good Grief!), and another panel that draws on the uncomplicated figures designed by Keith Haring (Pride in America). Together, the three panels of the triptych became Judgments.
Imitating the work of other artists allowed for a range of styles and methods beyond my customary approach. This resulted in a stylistically eclectic body of work. It also provided the freedom to use unusual materials and create imagery atypical for me. Serendipitously, this tied in well with a secondary theme for this new series of artworks, which acknowledges the many varied kinds of people, cultures, and ways of thinking that are America. Hence, the show’s subtitle: In the Manner Of.
Frederic C. Kaplan Resume
Cerulean Arts Collective Virtual Tour & Talk - April 26, 2023
Frederic C. Kaplan's solo exhibition is on view October 16 - November 10, 2024
Virtual Tour & Talk, October 23, 2024
Believe It or Not, acrylic & watercolor on paper, 22" x 30" Available
Caged I, graphite on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" SOLD
Caged II, ballpoint pen on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Caged III, ballpoint pen on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Christ was a Jew I, charcoal on paper, 11.75" x 18" Available
Christ was a Jew II, charcoal on paper, 15.5" x 11.5" Available
Cooked or Cracked: A Choice, mixed media, 20.5" x 20.5" Available
Good Grief!, oil on panel, acrylic on wood, 10" x 10" Available
Hammer of Justice?, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 18" Available
Judgements, oil on linen, 36" x 66" (triptych) Available
How is it Possible?, oil on canvas, 24" x 36" Available
Living Together, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 18" SOLD
Planning .. Down the Drain, mixed media, 20.5" x 20.5" Available
Pride in America, acrylic on wood, 10" x 10" Available
Pussy Grabber .. wants to live here, oil on linen, 24" x 20" Available
Sanctuary in Green, acrylic on canvas, 20" x 22" Available
Singing to the Cosmos, oil on canvas, 26" x 44" Available
"Tools" of the Trade .. Again, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 18" Available
Verboten I, graphite on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Verboten II, ballpoint pen on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Verboten III, ballpoint pen on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Yellow Christina, acrylic on wood, 12" x 12" Available
Christ was a Jew, oil on paper, 18" x 12" Available
Supreme F*** You, mixed media drawing, 11.75" x 11.75" Available
Frederic C. Kaplan's most recent solo exhibition was held April 12 - May 7, 2023. A selection of his works is currently available at the gallery as indicated below. For inquiries on all other work shown, please Contact Us.
Electron Exchange, oil on canvas, 18" x 48" Available
Singing to the Cosmos, oil on canvas, 26" x 44" Available
How Is It Possible? (Lost Moments), oil on canvas, 24" x 36"
Temporal Geometry Z, oil on paper with watch and nylon thread, 28" x 21"
Playing Dice with the Universe, oil on museum board, 18" x 12"
Yesterday, acrylic on watercolor paper, 11.5" x 15.5"
Finding Her Way, acrylic & gouache on watercolor paper, 14" x 20"
Home Seekers, acrylic, gouache & graphite on watercolor paper, 14" x 20" Available
Gravity Lens, acrylic, gouache & graphite on watercolor paper, 14" x 20" Available
Gestation, acrylic, gouache & graphite on watercolor paper, 15.75" x 12"
Interlopers, acrylic, gouache & graphite on watercolor paper, 13" x 10.25"
Passionate Eruption, acrylic & gouache on watercolor paper, 10.5" x 13.5"
Above and Below, oil & charcoal on linen, 36" x 48"
A Curious Place, oil on canvas, 32" x 48"
Seeds of Time, acrylic & graphite on panel, 12" x 12" Available
Sanctuary in Green, acrylic on canvas, 20" x 22" Available
Black Holes are Not Bald, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"
Gravity Plus, acrylic on panel, 12" x 12" Available
Neptune: God of the Sea, acrylic & ink on canvas, 32" x 32"
Redshifted Waltz, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"
The Stuff We Are Made Of, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24" Available
Uranus: God of the Heavens, acrylic & ink on canvas, 32" x 32"
Cerulean Arts Collective Virtual Tour & Talk - April 26, 2023
Frederic C. Kaplan's solo exhibition is on view October 16 - November 10, 2024
Virtual Tour & Talk, October 23, 2024
Believe It or Not, acrylic & watercolor on paper, 22" x 30" Available
Caged I, graphite on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" SOLD
Caged II, ballpoint pen on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Caged III, ballpoint pen on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Christ was a Jew I, charcoal on paper, 11.75" x 18" Available
Christ was a Jew II, charcoal on paper, 15.5" x 11.5" Available
Cooked or Cracked: A Choice, mixed media, 20.5" x 20.5" Available
Good Grief!, oil on panel, acrylic on wood, 10" x 10" Available
Hammer of Justice?, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 18" Available
Judgements, oil on linen, 36" x 66" (triptych) Available
How is it Possible?, oil on canvas, 24" x 36" Available
Living Together, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 18" SOLD
Planning .. Down the Drain, mixed media, 20.5" x 20.5" Available
Pride in America, acrylic on wood, 10" x 10" Available
Pussy Grabber .. wants to live here, oil on linen, 24" x 20" Available
Sanctuary in Green, acrylic on canvas, 20" x 22" Available
Singing to the Cosmos, oil on canvas, 26" x 44" Available
"Tools" of the Trade .. Again, acrylic on canvas, 18" x 18" Available
Verboten I, graphite on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Verboten II, ballpoint pen on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Verboten III, ballpoint pen on paper, 4.75" x 6.5" Available
Yellow Christina, acrylic on wood, 12" x 12" Available
Christ was a Jew, oil on paper, 18" x 12" Available
Supreme F*** You, mixed media drawing, 11.75" x 11.75" Available
Frederic C. Kaplan's most recent solo exhibition was held April 12 - May 7, 2023. A selection of his works is currently available at the gallery as indicated below. For inquiries on all other work shown, please Contact Us.
Electron Exchange, oil on canvas, 18" x 48" Available
Singing to the Cosmos, oil on canvas, 26" x 44" Available
How Is It Possible? (Lost Moments), oil on canvas, 24" x 36"
Temporal Geometry Z, oil on paper with watch and nylon thread, 28" x 21"
Playing Dice with the Universe, oil on museum board, 18" x 12"
Yesterday, acrylic on watercolor paper, 11.5" x 15.5"
Finding Her Way, acrylic & gouache on watercolor paper, 14" x 20"
Home Seekers, acrylic, gouache & graphite on watercolor paper, 14" x 20" Available
Gravity Lens, acrylic, gouache & graphite on watercolor paper, 14" x 20" Available
Gestation, acrylic, gouache & graphite on watercolor paper, 15.75" x 12"
Interlopers, acrylic, gouache & graphite on watercolor paper, 13" x 10.25"
Passionate Eruption, acrylic & gouache on watercolor paper, 10.5" x 13.5"
Above and Below, oil & charcoal on linen, 36" x 48"
A Curious Place, oil on canvas, 32" x 48"
Seeds of Time, acrylic & graphite on panel, 12" x 12" Available
Sanctuary in Green, acrylic on canvas, 20" x 22" Available
Black Holes are Not Bald, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"
Gravity Plus, acrylic on panel, 12" x 12" Available
Neptune: God of the Sea, acrylic & ink on canvas, 32" x 32"
Redshifted Waltz, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"
The Stuff We Are Made Of, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24" Available
Uranus: God of the Heavens, acrylic & ink on canvas, 32" x 32"
Yes, It Rains in the Cosmos, acrylic on panel, 12" x 12" SOLD
Earth, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"
Mars, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"
Jupiter, acrylic, ink on canvas, 32" x 32"
Saturn, acrylic, ink on canvas, 32" x 32" Available
Godel, Escher, Bach at Relativistic Velocity, oil, acrylic, ink on canvas, 32" x 72" SOLD
Mercury, acrylic on canvas painting, 24" x 24"
Awakening, oil on canvas, 24" x 44" SOLD
Dusty Morn, acrylic on canvas, 11" x 14"
Nightfall, acrylic on canvas, 11" x 14" SOLD
Entropic Landscape, oil on canvas, 18" x 48" SOLD
Fecundity I, oil on canvas, 11" x 14" Available
Fecundity II, oil on canvas, 11" x 14" SOLD