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ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM | COLLECTION | MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY | NICOLAS AFRICANO
 
 

711 N. Main Street
Rockford, IL 61103
p 815.968.2787

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Sun | 12-5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Nicolas Africano



Chicago artist Nicolas Africano's work during the 1980's connects powerful, often singular, figures in dramatic compositions. These figures often appear isolated and confused, powerfully accentuated by monotone backgrounds and modeling the characters three dimensionally on the canvas. The viewer is compelled to look at the figure with no distraction from the background.

Africano's connection between the subjects in his paintings and themes from literature, music and theater illustrates the universality of isolation, abuse and interpersonal conflict. Jekyll/Hyde: The Mixture reveals the conflict within the character of the fictional story of the doctor experimenting on himself only to find estrangement where he sought knowledge. Indeed, the artist reveals the hidden character in the shadow to the right of the antagonist.



 

 

 

 

 

 
   
Nicolas Africano, Jekyll/Hyde: The Mixture, (detail), 1982, Gift of Lon and Dick Behr

 



Nicolas Africano (American, b. 1948)
Jekyll/Hyde: The Mixture, 1982
oil and acrylic on canvas
Gift of Lon and Richard Behr
larger image





Nicolas Africano (American, b. 1948)
The Recording
, 1976,
acrylic on wood and wire armature
Gift of June and Francis Spiezer
larger image

 

 

 

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