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The winner of a several awards and grants, Jerry Lee Kirk has exhibited his paintings in dozens of galleries throughout the east coast, including Ward-Nasse Gallery in NYC, Waterworks Gallery in Salisbury, NC, R.J. Reynolds Gallery in Winston-Salem, NC, Center of the Earth in Charlotte, NC, and The Contemporary Art Museum in Raleigh, NC. His work is included in private collections around the world. After
an initial start at an art career that included work as an Editorial
Cartoonist and Graphic Artist followed by a brief stint in the United
States Air Force, Jerry picked up brushes and canvas and taught himself
to paint at the age of 30. Originally from Falls Church, VA, Jerry moved
to Charlotte, NC in 1991 where his fine art career really began in earnest.
In Charlotte he became one of the Founding Fathers of NoDa,
Charlotte’s Historic North Davidson Street Art District. He was
also the owner and director of the award winning Sanctuary Art
Studio and Galleries and a member of Charlotte's well-known
and somewhat legendary Eclipse Art Group. He also,
of course, worked day jobs as an Advertising Art Director and Senior
Graphic Designer to help support the family. During this period of time,
Jerry created an alias, Tony Java, in order
to create paintings in a more whimsical style that harkens back to his
beginnings as a cartoonist and is the polar opposite of what he does
under the name of 'Kirk'.
The Tony Java style became more popular than Jerry anticipated and so
he continues to create art to this day using that name. These days Jerry works from his home studio located in suburban South Charlotte, where he lives with his beautiful wife Lisa and absolutely perfect daughter, Elysia. To view KIrk's Career Biography and milestones click here
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ARTIST'S
STATEMENT |
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"Expressionistic
in style, my art is an attempt to depict the human condition at its most
intimate level. As an acute observer of life in all its aspects, my art
is influenced by the world around me including all forms of pop culture,
from music to film to cartoon animation. The themes and ideas of the great
Norwegian painter Edvard Munch have also been a major influence, his exploration
of the human psyche laying the groundwork for the kinds of ideas that I
seek to pursue. - JERRY LEE KIRK, 2004 |
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"Because I am such a Pop Culture Junkie and because it influences much of my work, here are links to my own personal top ten lists": FAVORITE MUSIC • FAVORITE MOVIES • FAVORITE BOOKS • FAVORITE ART
KIRK'S BLOGS: 'SANCTUARY ART' - previewing and commenting on KIrk Art 'fresh off the easel'
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