Artist Statement The subject of identity is one every artist battles with; whether this means voiding identity of its importance or basing one’s art entirely on what it means to be a Self and a human. Gordon Skinner’s work falls within the limitus of an identity in crisis. As a young African-American, the frustration felt by the artist at his lack of ownership in society is something that is centuries old and runs deep with in the veins of society. He is part of a group that feels fragmented, colonized, and lost. As Skinner puts it, “I feel robbed of my heritage and culture.” This anger and frustration is too big to put into words. So, two years ago in 2009, Skinner turned to paint to vent that sense of invisibility in a tangible way. He began painting figures wearing colorful masks that represent both concealment and expression. Though their true identities, defining features, and identifying qualities are obfuscated by the mask, the images are expressive and dynamic. Skinner tends to challenge the norms of American society in his images, calling upon the sedatives fed to the public through television and reliance on petroleum. In other works, he commemorates those artists that inspire him, from Joan Mitchell to Tracey Emin, expressing that he is fully conscious of the fact that, as a young artist, he is a subject of those who blazed the trail before him. Full of vigor and animation, his work is raw, spontaneous, colorful, and fragmented. You escape nothing when viewing his work; through a variety of mediums, he lays everything out on the table to be picked over and looked at. There is a rough, almost primal, edge to his artwork. It comes from a severely emotional place, creating an instant and intimate connection with the viewer. Skinner is locating his voice out of voicelessness; as an artist, he is emerging into a category of human that transcends definition and exists purely in a place of creativity and innovation. Contact: gordonskinner49@gmail.comTumblr (3.0; @gskinner)http://gskinner.tumblr.com/<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/6a7e145f9b1c9041595f500c120ff54a/tumblr_mmym5oQDJ41r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Here with the great artist and mentor of mine, Fethi Meghelli at my first solo exhibition in New Haven last year #Art</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/50672602684http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/50672602684Fri, 17 May 2013 16:27:24 -0400art<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/4c5ece20aeb640dcbd8237dd0105d63d/tumblr_mmjc3ev5FK1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This painting of mine “John Lennon - as a Garbage Pail Kid Picasso Style” is currently at Blue Lemon restaurant in Westport for Art About Town along with the other retailers displaying art inside downtown #Art #painting #JohnLennon</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/50013332420http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/50013332420Thu, 09 May 2013 10:26:00 -0400paintingartjohnlennonJohn LennonPicassoGordon Skinnergarbage pail kidsSkullspray paintacryliccontemporary art<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/8e0654a2406204de6a730b0d902c2a80/tumblr_mmigdymYnV1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Jesus Piece - Self Portrait at 27 now has a new home #SOLD #Art</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/49985908193http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/49985908193Wed, 08 May 2013 23:01:00 -0400soldartPaintingJesusGordon Skinnercontemporary artSpray paintacrylicChristianEgyptabstract artexpressionism<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/18428762ff4683f9e90565d74bf15a88/tumblr_mlm57v036q1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A @FairfieldU student reciting his poem at the Dogwood Journal issue launch event #poetry #art</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/48532973685http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/48532973685Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:16:43 -0400artpoetry<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/e86d58be83d534aae2187d086a1c988e/tumblr_mlkk44lnBR1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Answering a question about my painting at the Dogwood Journal issue launch next to Sonya Huber, editor of Dogwood and professor of English @FairfieldU</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/48461102805http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/48461102805Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:43:16 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/23ffb43924f040e54c4fd03677b2da12/tumblr_mlkjnpaSuh1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I made the cover of Dogwood Journal a literary journal published by @FairfieldU Here it is in the physical at the launch event at the Fairfield University Bookstore #Repost from @balbert3</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/48460379515http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/48460379515Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:33:25 -0400repost<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/338ecfe83ce34fbb291dc8fed264409b/tumblr_ml481gcUdX1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Here is the New York Times listing of my solo exhibition that the lawyer saw that made rush to see the paintings in person. #Art #NewYorkTimes</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47739094163http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47739094163Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:00:51 -0400newyorktimesart<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/c3e7052368aa4969b990f8390171423b/tumblr_ml4047snzA1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>#tbt This lawyer heads the longest running legal aid law firm in the country. He’s pointing at my painting he rushed to come see after seeing images printed in the New York Times. He said my work was “Fantastic” here at the reception for my solo show in New Haven #Art</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47725588512http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47725588512Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:09:43 -0400arttbt<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/cf178194b99b076f29e7e044163c41c8/tumblr_ml3jmax5c51r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>#TBT <br/> “Witchdoctor of Gohar” <br/> 48”x 36” Acrylic and spray paint<br/> I started and finished this painting in one day, the day of Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast. 20 hours straight painting. While the storm was going on outside, this is hat I was making inside. The painting sold a month later. #Art</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47703895750http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47703895750Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:13:21 -0400arttbt<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/13ab02b56776bb89fd3c44f5418799db/tumblr_ml1z2dE9Nw1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Another genius…Alexander McQueen. He shook up the world of fashion in his time here on earth #AlexanderMcQueen #Fashion</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47634852901http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47634852901Wed, 10 Apr 2013 14:51:49 -0400fashionalexandermcqueen<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/42b249d44880954719e1777f17796b98/tumblr_ml1ujer8pS1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Great musician, songwriter, artist and fashion icon. Now the new face of Saint Laurent(formerly YSL) #MarilynManson Love his work #Greatness</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47629362812http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47629362812Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:14:00 -0400greatnessmarilynmansonMarilyn MansonArtmakeup<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/69a1e9d28a2407c8b32d8b13a1ecfc1f/tumblr_ml1uakMRDM1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>What other artist do you know that has a repertoire of styles and even created styles of art? #Picasso #Greatness #Art</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47629077167http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47629077167Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:08:44 -0400picassoartgreatness<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/7944e9d1facb4efb8d1a68fbedb450ee/tumblr_ml1u1a8Tnx1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The best to ever do it!!! Picasso #Greatness #Picasso #Art</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47628783924http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47628783924Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:03:09 -0400picassoartgreatness<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/35627a71320394a9077c8abefe68c8ac/tumblr_mky3vjG6tZ1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Being of Gohar</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47464280167http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47464280167Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:45:19 -0400Gordon SkinnerPaintingArtGohar Tribe<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/92753c7a7303547baaf505b1b80079d8/tumblr_mkqvimGmjV1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>#tbt “Herbivore of Gohar” 36 x 36 acrylic house paint and spray paint on canvas. Sold this painting a few months ago</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47123959865http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47123959865Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:01:00 -0400tbtartpaintingGordon SkinneranimalHerbivoreGreenpunkafro punkabstract paintingeyesmohawkportraitveganvegetarianvegetarianismStereotypesIdentityEquality<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/38fe048da870fc54f40ed2a97fa277f7/tumblr_mkqutrs1EE1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>#tbt Here with graphic designer @sugacanedanger after a Q&A discussion about the short documentary on my art by @balbert3. Sitting next to my painting “Fotolia of Gohar” on the steps of the art space Franklin Street Works #Art</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47122987886http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47122987886Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:46:00 -0400arttbtGordon skinnerpaintingGohar TribeColorartistpainterdesigneranimal printLouboutinleopard printfashionDiorChristian Diorcolouraction painting<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/8a30ff3f35653a5f85c3b246c93ba2d8/tumblr_mkqpu46dDt1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>My painting “Jesus Piece - Self Portrait at 27” graces the cover of Dogwood Journal, an annual literary, poetry and prose journal published by Fairfield University. Available April 18th!!!</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47116410682http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/47116410682Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:58:00 -0400Gordon SkinnerArtPaintingJesusJesus PieceFairfield UniversityPoetryLiteraryChrist27 ClubColorBibleDogwood Journal<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/47c7308199df14d8a68dfe78f1327682/tumblr_mki3hpV1f71r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This was my birthday party last year, here with Coco and Breezy. Celebrating again tonight in #NewHaven</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/46718435094http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/46718435094Sat, 30 Mar 2013 21:15:25 -0400newhaven<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/97cc303e14f676b128b6bb2233917a83/tumblr_mkflv0MYyT1r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Graphic of myself and artist Frank Foster Post made for an article on us in The FC Beat magazine by @theartofjahmane The design is a tribute to the famous poster of Warhol and Basquiat. The article covers us as artists and being compared to such icons and the similarities of us being from two different generations. I also did a two man exhibition with Frank curated by Jahmane.</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/46603353145http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/46603353145Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:59:23 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/1a1609e6508198aa9d74d6f82b212a6f/tumblr_mkdprcfKX51r277joo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>#tbt Me and my sister Shante at the first art show I was a part of. This was when my painting Fotolia of Gohar was the only painting I had. I had it on display with a few of my collages. #Art</p>http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/46513424691http://gskinner.tumblr.com/post/46513424691Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:28:24 -0400arttbt