Frank Hyder
"Odyssey"
October 4 - 27th, 2007 Projects Gallery

Hyder’s Odyssey takes us on a journey through his use of the woodblock and gives a glimpse into his experimental three-dimensional forms. The work, as a whole, is strongly connected to the Taoist philosophy of man’s place in nature and the role of energy in nature’s composition. The rhythmic images of his painted wooden carvings present a poetic reference to Hyder’s time spent living in the jungles of South America and experiencing space without a horizon. His contemplative mark and overlapping figures reflect insight and energy while providing a sense of serenity. The spiritual essence of this work is revealed as we are pulled into the depths of the quiet. In Hyder’s woodcuts, what appears close is incised and what appears flat is lush and heavily layered. The carved lines are gilded, suggesting a divine presence as they twist and turn forcefully before us, creating an image both visual and visceral. As remarked by Edward Lucie-Smith in Hyder’s catalog from his recent New York solo exhibition, “Hyder is a master of . . . woodcut.”

Known for his color and mixed media reconstructed images, this body of work is pared down to an elegant, minimal simplicity. Borrowing construction strategies from indigenous cultures, the artist assembles simple structures. Reminiscent of forest shelters, the sculptural pieces also connect to modern architectural forms such as those found in the works of Gego. Exhibiting these core architectural works together with the carved blocks creates a poetic balance between flat and round, finished and raw. Hyder steps into new terrain here neither as solely painter, printmaker or sculptor. Odyssey is truly a spiritual and intellectual quest that the artist has undertaken through his use of the block, the print and now the elemental form.

Concurrent with Projects Gallery’s Odyssey, Hyder will be exhibiting across the U.S. with solo shows in Portland, OR and Atlanta, GA, as well as being featured in both the Toronto and Maracaibo international art fairs. Hyder has participated in over 80 solo exhibitions and 150 group shows throughout North, Central and South America. A Senior Fulbright Award in 2001 sent the artist to Venezuela for a year, where his experiences abroad inspired him to produce a prodigious body of work, which was displayed in Venezuela’s three major Contemporary Art Museums.

Frank Hyder
"New World Souvenirs"
Sept 2 - Oct 2, 2005 and Oct 7 - 30, 2005 Projects Gallery

Internationally known Philadelphia artist Frank Hyder is this season’s inaugural exhibition.  In his first solo show in Philadelphia since 2001 and his first at Projects Gallery, this venerable artist displays many new works as well as several created during his one-year stay in Venezuela during his Senior Fulbright research in 2000-01.