Eric Finzi's FEEL at Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art in San Francisco

Thank you, Kathryn McKinney, for your review of my show FEEL in San Francisco at the Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art gallery. Here’s an excerpt from the piece linked below:

Art and madness have been linked in a cliche so old, it’s almost biblical. In Eric Finzi’s “Feel” (up for a limited engagement at Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art) the subject is not the artist, as often is, but the case study of Augustine drawn from medical history, an inmate/patient of the infamous Salpêtrière Hospital in 19th century Paris. During her incarceration for hysteria she was subjected to experimental treatments (rather, torture), as well as extensive photographic observation of her “hysterical” reactions to treatment.  Finzi captures this history in the exhibition of paintings in epoxy, resin and pigment, his use of medical tools in the process (a style of painting with a syringe) a practical cross-over from his practice as a dermatological surgeon.  CLICK HERE for full story.

Reaction to my show FEEL in San Fran was so great that Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art has extended the show and I am heading there on Tuesday, March 19th for an artist talk. The exhibition showcases my mixed media and epoxy resin paintings all centering on a single subject: Augustine, the documented patient of neurologist Professor Jean-Martin Charcot at the notorious Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris. Institutionalized for hysteria in the 1870s, the young woman was, for many years, the subject of experimental treatments and lengthy photographic documentation of her episodic outbursts. After several years of incarceration, Augustine disguised herself as a man and escaped the psychiatric ward, never to be seen again.

Augustine, epoxy resin, pigments on aluminum, 36 x 48, 2013

I have a solo show, “Feel,” in San Francisco through March 15th at Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art, 1 Sutter Street, Suite 300. It’s all about Augustine, the 19th century French hysteric who was a patient of Charcot in the infamous Salpetriere hospital.

And, a few pieces from my new series, “Emotions” are at the VOLTA gallery, Booth 127, 82 Mercer Street in New York City through March 11th. I’m in NYC for the weekend and hope to see you there!

The Washington Post’s Weekend section featured my work at the Athenaeum in Old Town, Alexandria, in On Exhibit by Stephanie Merry this past Friday, August 24th.  Here’s an excerpt from the piece

"Humfrey" epoxy resin on wood, 2012

THE STORY BEHIND THE WORK by Stephanie Merry

Capturing a subject’s likeness poses many challenges, but Eric Finzi seems to thrive under pressure. Using epoxy resin – a toxic, plasticlike material – means donning a special suit and working while tethered to a hose that supplies fresh air. Finzi mixes pigments into the resin while it heats up. Once it hits the desired temperature, it’s only a matter of minutes before the liquid becomes hard as rock, so he has to work quickly, applying with syringes …  read more.

My late father-in-law is the subject of my latest work, “Humfrey,” which will debut in a group show entitled “Likeness/Interpretations of Portraiture” at the Athenaeum in Old Town, Alexandria, VA, from August 9th through September 21st. 

From hyperreal to abstract, from traditional media like charcoal and paint, to unexpected media, like epoxy resin, Likeness: Interpretations of Portraiture is an exploration into the mind of regional artists, and how they capture the essence of a person through their art.

Historic, beautiful, intimate, and inviting, the Athenaeum is home to the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Association (NVFAA). The NVFAA strives to establish premier arts programs that enrich the cultural life of Northern Virginia and beyond. Whether presenting exhibitions featuring prominent regional artists or performances by top musicians and actors, we invite you to come inside and enjoy the arts in our magnificent building.

Gallery Hours
Thursday, Friday and Sunday from 12–4 pm and Saturdays from 1–4 pm.
The Athenaeum is closed on holidays.  Admission to the gallery is free.

Cup of Tea, 2011, epoxy resin and mixed media on wood, 37 x 37 in.

I am delighted to be included in an Escape Into Life online arts journal piece.  The site pushes the boundaries of visual art and literature, blending the two together until they become one poem – a work of Visual Poetry.  Enjoy!  Read more…

"Deep Thought" mixed media with epoxy resin on aluminum, 36" x 44", 2012

If you are in San Francisco this weekend, stop by the Sloan Fine Art booth at artMRKT San Fran and check out the 2 pieces I am showing.  This one is called “Deep Thought.”  For more information, click here.

Steam, mixed media & epoxy resin on aluminum, 36 x 44 inches, 2012, Eric Finzi

To all my San Francisco area friends, I’ll be showing two paintings at the artMRKT San Fran, Sloan Fine Art booth, taking place May 17 -20.  The art market featuring over 70 galleries around the globe will be held at the Concourse Exhibition Center, 620 7th Street (at Brannan).

For more information, click here.

I Thought You Knew, epoxy resin & mixed media on wood, 44 x 70, 2012 by Eric Finzi

Last Friday, Mark Jenkins wrote about “6 Painters,” the group show I’m in at Civilian Art Projects through February 25th.  Here’s what he wrote about my work in his piece entitled “Whirlwind Tour Through the District’s Many Paintings Exhibits”:

“Eric Finzi mixes pigment with epoxy resin, a fast-drying medium that requires a quick hand. Yet his images of formally posed women and men (and the occasional tiger) evoke stately art of the past. ”

Click here for the link to the entire article.