<em>Andrew Topolski / Michael Zwack</em> at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is pleased to present an exhibition of new work by Andrew Topolski and Michael Zwack, the first exhibition of work by the two artists in Western New York for over two decades. Andrew Topolski / Michael Zwack is on view from December 3, 2005 – February 26, 2006. An opening reception will be held on Friday, December 9 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
"Andrew Topolski and Michael Zwack are significant Western New York artists whose work has not been examined in this area for over two decades, even though their work is represented in our collection as well as other collections in the region," said Don Metz, associate director / head of public programming at the Burchfield-Penney and curator of Andrew Topolski / Michael Zwack. "This exhibition is an opportunity for Western New Yorkers to recognize the beauty and complexities of their work by exploring each piece with an understanding of the sensitivities that have contributed to the creative success of these individuals."
This exhibition features new work by Topolski and Zwack. Both artists suffered breaks in their careers in recent years due to outside influences, and this project focuses on how these outside pressures affected the artists. Zwack has been immersed in the study of Haitian culture and of vodou coupled with an illness. Topolski, a witness to the attacks of September 11, 2001, was so emotionally affected by the events of that day that he was unable to create work for a number of years.
Andrew Topolski was born in Buffalo, New York and earned his B.F.A. from the State University in 1974 and his M.F.A. from the same school in 1977 and moved to New York City in 1982. He has had numerous one-person shows throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. Topolski has received awards from the Mid-Atlantic Foundation, Karuiza Drawing Biennale, Wakita Museum of Art, The Pollock Krasner Award, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Topolski currently teaches 3D Design at Parsons School of Design in New York City.
Michael Zwack was born in Buffalo, New York and earned his B. A. degree at Buffalo State College in 1970. He was a founding member of Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center and moved to New York City in 1976 where he has lived ever since. Zwack’s work is found in collections of numerous museums throughout the U.S. and has had both solo and group exhibitions throughout the U.S. and Europe. He is represented in nearly 100 publications including Art in America, The New Yorker, Artnews, Bomb magazine, and Artforum. He has received grants from the Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation, Pollock-Krasner Foundation, the National Endowment for the arts, and C.A.P.S. Zwack has also been a visiting artist at the Studio Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Syracuse University Graduate Art Program, in Syracuse, NY.
Andrew Topolski / Michael Zwack at the Burchfield-Penney and the accompanying catalog have been made possible thanks to the generosity of the Vogt Family Foundation.
About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.
The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students and $3 for children and is free for students, faculty and staff of Buffalo State College and members of the Burchfield-Penney.
"Andrew Topolski and Michael Zwack are significant Western New York artists whose work has not been examined in this area for over two decades, even though their work is represented in our collection as well as other collections in the region," said Don Metz, associate director / head of public programming at the Burchfield-Penney and curator of Andrew Topolski / Michael Zwack. "This exhibition is an opportunity for Western New Yorkers to recognize the beauty and complexities of their work by exploring each piece with an understanding of the sensitivities that have contributed to the creative success of these individuals."
This exhibition features new work by Topolski and Zwack. Both artists suffered breaks in their careers in recent years due to outside influences, and this project focuses on how these outside pressures affected the artists. Zwack has been immersed in the study of Haitian culture and of vodou coupled with an illness. Topolski, a witness to the attacks of September 11, 2001, was so emotionally affected by the events of that day that he was unable to create work for a number of years.
Andrew Topolski was born in Buffalo, New York and earned his B.F.A. from the State University in 1974 and his M.F.A. from the same school in 1977 and moved to New York City in 1982. He has had numerous one-person shows throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. Topolski has received awards from the Mid-Atlantic Foundation, Karuiza Drawing Biennale, Wakita Museum of Art, The Pollock Krasner Award, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Topolski currently teaches 3D Design at Parsons School of Design in New York City.
Michael Zwack was born in Buffalo, New York and earned his B. A. degree at Buffalo State College in 1970. He was a founding member of Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center and moved to New York City in 1976 where he has lived ever since. Zwack’s work is found in collections of numerous museums throughout the U.S. and has had both solo and group exhibitions throughout the U.S. and Europe. He is represented in nearly 100 publications including Art in America, The New Yorker, Artnews, Bomb magazine, and Artforum. He has received grants from the Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Foundation, Pollock-Krasner Foundation, the National Endowment for the arts, and C.A.P.S. Zwack has also been a visiting artist at the Studio Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Syracuse University Graduate Art Program, in Syracuse, NY.
Andrew Topolski / Michael Zwack at the Burchfield-Penney and the accompanying catalog have been made possible thanks to the generosity of the Vogt Family Foundation.
About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.
The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students and $3 for children and is free for students, faculty and staff of Buffalo State College and members of the Burchfield-Penney.
Media Contact:
Kathleen Heyworth, Head of Marketing and Public Relations | 7168784529 | heyworkm@buffalostate.edu