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The Hoffman Porges Gallery will host the 2nd annual From Cracker to Flapper! exhibition, featuring the paintings of rising modern impressionist Jason Fondren.
In the last year—while a Reclaiming Our Heritage.org Florida Heritage Artist grant recipient—Fondren has turned his attention to Tampa’s rich and exotic past, emphasizing the Bay Area’s 50 boomtown years (circa 1875-1925).
Inspired by impressions from the black-and-white historic Burgert Brothers photography collection, Fondren has awakened iconic photographic images and infused them with the vibrancy of Tampa’s industrial, natural, and cultural yesteryear. The dept of his color palette has been described as soul-stirring. “His is the brush stroke of a generation...for generations,” observed one critic.
Most recently, Fondren has returned from Vail, Colorado, where he was commissioned to add ten pieces to the private collection of Former Florida Secretary of State Bruce Armistead Smathers. Later this summer, another project will call him to the quaint, Western North Carolina village of Highlands.
For April’s opening, Fondren has created twelve signature boomtown eras paintings. Of particular interest is a work entitled ”Tampa Times”—inspired by the rare newspaper artifact collection of The Tampa Daily Times, Southern Florida’s first daily newspaper (circa 1893-1982) and the search for its lost archives.
For a pdf of the show’s promotional postcard, click here.
From Cracker to Flapper! opens in the Hoffman Porges Gallery, located at 1907 East 7th Avenue in Ybor, Friday, April 6, with an artist reception from 6-9 pm. The exhibit will remain for viewing throughout the Florida Heritage CELEBRAT!ON week (April 5-15) and close Monday, April 30. For gallery information call (813) 247-2000 or (813) 230-9142.
Fondren is available for commissioned work. Click here to inquire. |
