The You Name It Show: Paintings by Gary Hirsch

The You Name It Show: Painting By Gary Hirsch, Where You Name The Art.

Portland, OR – Oct. 30, 2009 – Gary Hirsch, the artist best know for his Portland public art work “Upstream Downtown” (18 colorful fish that hang from the S.W. Morrison and S.W.3rd parking structure in downtown Portland), debuts a new series of paintings for his solo exhibition at Galley Paradiso, 417 NW 10th, Portland, in The Pearl for the month of December.

The Exhibition, ”YOU NAME IT” features 20 yet to be named, acrylic and mixed media paintings. Over the last year Hirsch has been displaying the pieces on-line and accepting title submissions from friends and strangers alike. All of these titles will be displayed with his new work at Gallery Paradiso. In addition, gallery visitors can add their own title ideas to the exhibition, which will be on display throughout the months of December and January.

Hirsch says, “I love it when kids visit my studio and make up wild and incredible stories about the pieces I am making. They see narrative, characters, and worlds that I hadn’t even thought of. If I hold back on my intended title my audience will often fill it in for themselves and together we co-create a brand new story. In this show I am making incomplete stories and inviting the audience to fill in the rest for themselves.”

The on-line response has been overwhelming. The first painting (pictured above) was first displayed on Hirsch’s Facebook page with an invitation for others to fill in the title. “I had over 50 titles in the first 3 hours”, Hirsch says. The list was extensive with titles such as “Sanka?”, “Tough Tip”, and “Super Model Breakfast”. Hirsch exclaims ‘It was great; each new title took me off on a completely new story. I just started the process and the audience did the rest”

Have your own title ideas instantly displayed at Hirsch’s new show “YOU NAME IT”, or submit titles on-line http://www.doodlehouse.com

The opening reception takes place the first Wednesday of December (Dec. 2nd, 2009)) from 6-9, Galley Paradiso, Inside Vino Paradiso at 417 NW 10th, Portland the exhibition runs from December 2- to- January 31

“YOU NAME IT” New Paintings by Gary Hirsch Galley Paradiso 417 NW 10th, Portland Opening reception Wednesday December 2nd, 2009 Special First Thursday hours December 3rd, 4pm-11pm Exhibition on display from Dec. 2- January 31st For more information contact Cathie Joy Young , curator Gallery Paradiso cathiejoy@galleryparadiso.com

for more information about Gary Hirsch visit www.doodlehouse.com