Born in 1970, New York native ALEX BEARD grew up in a household of artists and authors, including his uncle, photographer Peter Beard, and his mother Patricia Beard, an author and former editor for Town & Country, Elle, and Mirabella magazines. Beard's exuberantly colorful animal paintings can be seen in his children's books JUNGLE GRAPEVINE and MONKEY SEE MONKEY DRAW. His joyous works bypass naturalism in favor of a dizzying, fantastical world. In 2008, A.M. Homes wrote in Vanity Fair that “Beard’s paintings and ink drawings are filled with an intricate, almost mathematical dance of whimsical animals, feathers and figures, all in constant motion”. Beard currently owns studios in New York and New Orleans, where he leads art workshops for children.
Original paintings from MONKEY SEE MONKEY DRAW, his forthcoming book for children, will be on display at the gallery. Beard will also be signing copies of his previous book JUNGLE GRAPEVINE at the show’s opening reception. In addition, games, toys, puzzles, and notecards featuring scenes from the books will be available for sale. |
