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Both oil painters in this exhibition are emerging artists.
Their work reflects the start of life as a painter: from challenging
historical notions to discovering what it means to be a painter
personally. While aesthetically the work of Brian Cirmo and G.
George Girard are quite different; they both deal directly with the
history of painting. Girards’ work is primarily an exploration of
self-portraiture and the use of the nude in art. Girard pushes the
fold on what is acceptable subject matter while Cirmo’s visceral painting
style demands viewer response.
Brian Cirmo’s oil paintings reflect
an interest in the cartoon work of Philip Guston while remaining
technically sensitive. His bold, chunky surface challenges the
historical use of the grid in painting, while simultaneously exploring
what painting means to him personally. Cirmo states: “As an artist I
think it’s not good to be comfortable--no new paths or discoveries are
going to come from comfort. I have to explore the things that make
me uncomfortable.”
The paintings of G. George Girard are traditional
in their approach, but reveal a sense of humor indicative of the current
time. From self portraits surrounded by chickens, to painting
himself using the imagery of historical Christ, Girard’s work is sure to
stimulate the local community. Girard states, “My paintings could be
interpreted as narratives exploring ego, alienation and absurdity through
the use of allegorical imagery, or they could simply be silly nude
self-portraits of a painter desperately reaching for content.” | 
