Kevin Berlin, “Black&White Nutella with 3 Tomatoes”
Gouache on handcut paper, 12.5 x 15 in., (framed), 2022. Painted from life in Florence, Italy.
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SAVE THE DATE
Kevin Berlin: "Tomato Pop-Up!" | August 25 -Sept 5 | Oscar Molina Gallery
VIP OPENING RECEPTION 5-7PM, SAT. AUGUST 27. SHOW RUNS THRU AUGUST 25 -SEPT 5, 2022.
UNVEILING NEW WORKS AND A LOT OF TOMATOES!
Open daily. Oscar Molina Gallery. 28C Jobs Lane, Southampton, NY, 11968.
OSCAR MOLINA GALLERY IS PROUD TO REPRESENT INTERNATIONAL ARTIST KEVIN BERLIN FOR AN END OF SUMMER "TOMATO POP-UP!🍅". Unveiling new works and a lot of Tomatoes! The Exhibition features Italian Tomatoes, Heirloom Tomatoes, Grapes, Watermelon, Nutella and more… VIP Opening Reception 5-7pm, Sat. August 27, 2022. Show runs thru Sept. 5, Labor Day Weekend.
Kevin Berlin is an international artist best known for painting, sculpture, and performance. Berlin currently lives in Southampton, New York and Florence, Italy. Berlin's works are found in collections including Kim Basinger, Luciano Pavarotti, Bill and Hillary Clinton, President George W. Bush, Quincy Jones, Buzz Aldrin, Henry Buhl, Barton G., HRH Princesse Antonella de Orleans-Bourbon, and National YoungArts Foundation. Berlin’s recent exhibitions include solo shows in New York, Miami, Shanghai, London and The Hamptons Fine Art Fair 2022. www.kevinberlin.com @kevinberlin (instagram)
Oscar Molina Gallery showcases emerging and mid-career, local and international Artists. Salvadoran-American artist Oscar Molina, inspired by various facets of his own life story, creates work that seamlessly bridges cultures, industries, and feelings. Open daily 10am-6pm. 28C Jobs Lane, Southampton, NY, 11968. +1 (631) 514-4414. arts@omolina.com www.omolina.com
“The Tomato Pop-Up! at Oscar Molina Gallery will be simply beautiful.” - Kevin Berlin
“To me each tomato is a miracle. Each tomato is a new world.” - Kevin Berlin
An Interview with Kevin Berlin
By Baronesse Louise von Duesterlohe
Oscar Molina Gallery, August 25 - September 5, 2022
Kevin Berlin’s “Tomato Pop-Up!” follows the Renaissance tradition of painting from life as the basis for expression and the development of ideas. While most of us are inspired to eat Italy’s famous tomatoes, the Artist was inspired to paint them.
While Kevin Berlin is perhaps best known for oil paintings and monumental bronze sculptures, Tomato Pop-Up! has a spontaneity and directness that can't be achieved any other way. Varieties of Italian tomatoes found at Oscar Molina Gallery include San Marzano, Sicilian Ciliegino and Florence's own Fiorentino tomatoes. In addition, the collection includes "Grapes," “Watermelon,” "Nutella," and a few other surprises.
Baronesse Louise Von Duesterlohe: When did you paint your first tomato? Kevin Berlin: Two weeks after the tragedy of 9/11 I found myself in Florence, Italy setting up a studio above the historic Sant’Ambrogio market. At the time I was inspired by the icons of Italian culture and it was then that I gave tomatoes the more serious consideration that they deserve. So, 20 years ago.
BLVD: What do you love about tomatoes?
KB: Big question. The color red, of course. The extraordinary individual shape and form. As a sculptor I imagine each tomato on a monumental scale and appreciate that no two tomatoes are alike. The taste of an Italian salsa di pomodoro; which has been perfected over, what some say, is a period of five hundred years... Perhaps what I love the most is the pleasant feeling that each tomato brings. And that alone is enough.
BLVD: Do you ever get bored painting a tomato? KB: No. Impossible. To me each tomato is a miracle. Each tomato is a new world. Each time I paint a tomato, I imagine I have never seen one before. As if each tomato went back to the beginning of time. That is the secret.
Kevin Berlin, “Tomato #4”
Gouache, handcut paper, pencil signed, 9 x 10.5 in., (framed), 2022. Collection # 41 / 56
Kevin Berlin, "Pomodoro a Grappolo"
Gouache, handout paper, pencil signed, 9 x 10.5 in., (framed), 2022.