Arthur May

ARTHUR MAY: biography b. 1940
Although essentially a self-taught artist, Mr. May is a noted architect with numerous AIA honors and awards. He holds degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Pennsylvania where he studied with both Neil Wellever and Louis I Kahn. He is a fellow of the AIA as well as the American Academy in Rome where he presented a one-man show of paintings and drawings at the completion of his fellowship in1976. In the spring of 2009 he had a solo show at Art 101 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. His work has been accepted in numerous group shows, and most recently his drawings were accepted into the Drawing Center’s Viewing Program.

ARTIST STATEMENT:
Process is an important and defining source for these images.
They deal with reality but at a studied distance. The work is involved
in primary relationships and in the content of shape, impacted by color, edge condition, linear detail, and surface. They seek to exploit the intersection of accidental and residual aspects of process with more purposeful decisions. Which
is to say that they exploit both divergent and convergent strategies.
Feeling and form are not seen as mutually exclusive. Metaphor is not sought, but emerges. Monumentality, sensuality and iconic figuration, are primary protagonists.
The work draws inspiration from twentieth century painters which include, Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko, Morris Louis, Ellsworth Kelly and Gerhard Richter.
They evidence an interest in reconciling issues raised by both Louis and Kelly.