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Featured 19th Century Painter: PAUL GORKA (AMERICAN, BORN 1931)

June 10, 2020 12:48

19th Century Painter PAUL GORKA (AMERICAN, BORN 1931)CONTEMPLATION

Oil on canvas, 24 x 20 inches / Signed lower left

Paul Gorka was born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, the heart of the anthracite coal region. Having an artistic bent that deviated from academic pursuits considered “normal” for nanticoke, he found an outlet by creating backdrops for school theatrical productions, yearbook designs and welcome home signs for returning World War II veterans. The Korean War interrupted his art education at the University of Pennsylvania. Gorka enlisted in the Air Force and later was released from the Air Force to work in Army Intelligence. Returning to Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, he was awarded the prestigious Cresson Award and the Scheidt Traveling Scholarship, the latter of which gave him the opportunity to take a tour of Ireland, where he often “painted for his supper.” His work has been described as “fantasy realist” and further that his works are “interpretations of real people, in a real world, with a sometime phantasmagoric ambience and dream-like symbols driving the action of the painting”.

In Gorka’s own words, “I want to do work that causes you to stop, look, puzzle and muse. If you are pleased, that’s good. If you are irritated, that is better. If you are provoked, that’s better.” He has been a teacher and lecturer, in addition to his exhibitions for which he has won numerous awards. Gorka maintains a studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We, the owners of Bedford Fine Art Gallery, not knowing the original title, call this painting “Contemplation”—we certainly spent some time puzzling and musing over this painting.

Call now to talk about your interest in this Paul Gorka painting: 724-459-0612Jerry Hawk, Bedford Fine Art Gallery. View other 19th Century Paintings for sale at Bedford Fine Art Gallery.

Tags: 19th century art 19th century paintings 19th century painters 19th century fine art fine art american art

Bedford Fine Art Gallery

Welcome to Bedford Fine Art Gallery. Located in historic Bedford, Pennsylvania, the gallery offers a wide variety of works from some of the greatest and most well-known 19th century artists, early 20th century artists, and contemporary realism artists. You can see all of our available 19th century artwork on our Gallery page. Our current inventory boasts a wide diversity of subject matter from landscape, marine, still life, genre, American historical/political, sporting art, and animal themes. Our gallery features both American and European 19th century painters such as John Henry Dolph, George Hetzel, William Bromley III, and Barton Stone Hays, to name a few. To see more of our 19th century artists, please visit our Artists page. Good art is timeless and only you know what "wows" you. You know it when you see it and we hope you make that connection with a stunning painting from Bedford Fine Art Gallery. Thank you.