The Art League of Long Island will host a solo exhibition of local artist Dan Brown’s paintings and sculpture in the upper level of the League’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery Feb. 21 through March 8.
The works on view capture the essence of a man, who in his 91 years, has led a fascinating life as a highly-educated world traveler visiting places many only read about in text books and magazines.
An artist’s reception takes place Sunday, Feb. 22 from 3 to 5 p.m..
After crisscrossing the United States and the popular European attractions, Brown visited Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China, South Africa, Turkey, Egypt, Alaska, Hawaii and Israel. These destinations inspired many of his diverse pieces.
This classically trained artist invites you to view his 91 years of life experiences through this extraordinary retrospective exhibit. This show presents a brilliant variety of landscapes, seascapes and portraits in oil, pastel and watercolor.
On view are superlative sculptures in bronze, acrylic, bonded bronze and Vatican art stone featuring interesting people and animals in vigorous action. Every work tells a clear and emotional story. Power and clarity are key words to describe his works.
When asked what his proudest career moment was, he cites The Smithsonian Postal Museum commission for a life-size dog, “Owney”, the mascot of the Postal Service during the 1880s and 1890s. Beautifully executed in bronze, after 16 years, it is still admired at the entrance to the museum.
Brown’s career is as varied and interesting as his art. He was enrolled in the first graduating class of the New York High School of Music and Art as a music major. While attending NYU on scholarship, he met his future wife, Marilyn.
Then came WW II and he entered the Navy, where he was Commissioned in the Intelligence Division as a Japanese translator and interpreter.
After the war, he attended The Harvard Business School under the GI Bill where he received his MBA. Then came 45 years in the furniture business and the creation of four very successful Ethan Allen stores on Long Island.
He retired in 1992 to study art at the Art League of Long Island.
The Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery is open free of charge Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Art League is located at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills.
For more information call (631) 462-5400 or visit www.artleagueli.org.
