The Art Gallery of Northumberland (AGN) is pleased to invite the public to view current solo exhibition, Abstract Arrangements, showcasing 31 artworks by Michael Kuczer, opening Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 1 p.m. and closing September 4, 2022.
In 2020 the AGN was approached to exhibit a show featuring the works of Michael J. Kuczer, unaware of the history that Kuczer has with Cobourg. According to his notes, Kuczer participated in Cobourg’s Art Market in 1971.
Guest curated by Erin Messier, the 31 artworks from the Abstract Arrangements exhibition comes from the estate of Michael J. Kuczer, representing a small example of the body of work created during his lifetime. The exhibition is organized as: the early years, the middle years, and the late years, in which each period demonstrates the influence of music in Kuczer’s paintings. This exhibition will allow audiences to see how the works of Michael J. Kuczer embody what abstract art was in Canada in the mid-20th century.
Born in Winnipeg, Michael Kuczer (1910-1975) was a talented artist and musician. He began playing the violin at the age of seven, and attended the Royal College of Music in London, England. While there, Kuczer used painting as a secondary creative outlet, his early works being principally landscapes and nudes. Only later was he introduced to the alluring realm of abstract art.
It has been said that Kuczer’s commitment to abstract art exemplifies the so-called “Bauhaus” style of painting, with suggestions of the mechanized world of the post-war period. But we should not overlook the striking influence of music on Kuczer’s work as well — he was a gifted musician, and his art reflects the kind of sensitivity and fluidity often associated with music.
“I first visited the estate of Michael J. Kuczer in the summer of 2020 and there was an immediate familiarity – Kuczer’s contemporaries are Painters Eleven,” observed Olinda Casimiro, Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Northumberland. “The Art Gallery of Northumberland is pleased to present this selection of paintings from the estate of Michael J. Kuczer and invite the visitor to engage with the Abstract Arrangements!”
More Information on the Abstract Arrangements Exhibition
• Name of Exhibition: Abstract Arrangements
• Artist: Michael Kuczer
• Exhibition Dates: Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 1 p.m. until September 4, 2022.
• This is a free event for all ages.
• Image: Untitled, C. 1968, 183 X 153 cm, Acrylic on Canvas.
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As Northumberland County’s largest public art gallery, the AGN plays a leading role on local, regional, and national stages through exceptional exhibitions, programs, and collaborations. It strives to be an inspiring institution that serves as an educational resource, a hub of artistic and cultural energies for local citizens, and a tourist attraction for all audiences.
Victoria Hall, West Wing, Third Floor
55 King Street West | Cobourg, ON | K9A 2M2
For more information about the Art Gallery of Northumberland or to arrange a time to visit, visit artgalleryofnorthumberland.com, or call 905-372-0333. Be sure to also follow the AGN on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest exhibitions and gallery news
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
