Ari Glass the Spiritual Painter from Seattle

Ari Glass, the “Picasso of South Seattle” is one of the award winners of the 2015 Grants for Artist Projects which helped him realize his first solo exhibition named “The Sun is Made of Gold”. His debut art show which took place in December 2016 at the 2312 Gallery included paintings, video projection, vitrine installation and custom framing that take the viewer in a new world. This painter draws inspiration from historical and fictional concepts of kings, queens, and kingdoms, as well as from the diverse community in which he grew up. His bold, vivid paintings, mainly oil paint, give the impression of a well put combination of classic, traditional styles mixed with modern touches like his signature golden paint.

Through his painterly techniques, Ari Glass masterfully reflects his creativity and vision, transforming traditional styles with his emboldened graffiti-like outlines and wild colors and pre-eminent hue—gold. Blending soft and brush he makes beautiful paintings that reminisce of something sacred and divine, while revealing his personal narratives. There is something about Ari, something ingenious in his artwork that also depicts the deep, personal effect that art and art history has left on him while growing up in the vibrant neighborhood in the Rainier Valley district of Seattle.

This summer Glass was also among the few artists chosen to represent Seattle’s south side in the huge Northwest survey exhibition Out of Sight, which two years in a row is organized at the historical King Street Station.  The Out of Sight show is an annual survey of contemporary art in the Pacific Northwest with an impressive lineup of local artists. In the midst of more than 200 installations, videos, paintings, and sculptures by more than 100 artists and artist collectives from across the Northwest and Vancouver, Ari Glass was able to capture the viewer’s attention with his bold paintings that exude freshness. During the show, the audience had the opportunity to get introduced with the work of local artists who are on their way to becoming stellar artists. Thanks to his unique approach and delicate method, this rising star was able to reflect the diversity and breadth of creativity that activates this region.

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