Broderick finds artistic inspiration for
his narrative paintings in his travels and the many interesting people
he has encountered in this world. His trips to Cuba have had a
particularly profound impact.
An exuberant, grand scale oil painter,
one of the paintings he currently has in his upstairs-from-the-gallery
studio is 6’ X 8.’ As with most of his recent work, the subjects appear
within arches, doorways and windows, hence the show title "Portals."
His imagery invites the viewer to
ponder: Are these portals into faraway lands, scenes from history, or
glimpses into the human condition? What is clear is that these new works
offer a window into Broderick’s fantastic imagination, sense of humor
and history, and unique sense of color and composition. Upon viewing
Broderick’s work, critics have remarked:
“With their outsider artist-like lack
of perspective, unlikely color combinations and compositional sense, the
works look like something 1960’s illustrator David DePatie would have
drawn on some grappa-fueled sojourn to Portofino.” Richard Speer,
Willamette Week, “Pick,” 2005 show.
On Broderick’s 2005 show in Havana ...“I
have carefully observed your show and you have all my respect. You see
the world in a pictorial way which is very unique. Through the
conceptual
techniques you employ, you show us
your inside world. In your work, we see your dreams, your hopes and your
unique vision ... ” José Miguel Pérez, Professor of Art
(retired). San Alejandro Academy, Cuba
Broderick characterizes his narrative oil
painting style as "hyperbolic reality" as the figures and colors are
overstated. The symbolism and color forms surrounding the figures
define their
environment, consequently giving
considerable complexity to the figure's character. “The distortion
reflects how the individuals think other people see them,” says
Broderick.
Broderick first developed an interest in
Cuba and its artists when he traveled to Cuba in February of 2003,
touring the provinces of Sancti Espiritus, Matanza, Santa Clara, and
Ciudad de Havana. In addition to museums, he was invited to visit
artist's homes and studios and was amazed by the excellent work being
created by Cuban artists. In appreciation of the warm welcome he
received, Broderick later sent a large quantity of art supplies to help
the Cuban artists, and arrangements were made to show four of the Cuban
artists at the Broderick Gallery.
Broderick’s trip to Cuba continues to
have a profound influence on his painting style, which can be seen in
paintings such as “Mi Cuba,” “Cuban Rooftops” and “Bird in
Residence.” He feels greatly honored that he was invited to do a
solo exhibition of his work in Havana at the prestigious Guayasamin
gallery in June 2005.
George Broderick followed a
nontraditional path to his current role as painter and gallery owner.
He was born in Spring Hill, a mining camp in Montana, USA and was raised
in mining camps and other rural areas of western Montana. Though he did
not pursue art in his youth, instead choosing the sciences and attending
Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pa., he was always drawn
to the arts.
Following a successful career in the
computer industry, Broderick decided to follow his passion and began his
study of art in Honolulu, Hawaii. He continued his studies with the
artist Michael Cookinham in San Francisco, California, and at the
Academy of Art college, San Francisco.
In addition to showing at the Broderick
Gallery and Guayasamin Gallery, Havana, Broderick has shown at: All You
Knead restaurant gallery in the Haight Ashbury district, San Francisco;
Blue Mountain Community College, Pendleton, Oregon; Peaceful Arts
Gallery, La Grande, Oregon; and Id Space in Hawaii. His works are in
private collections in the U.S. and Cuba.
