Kefa Café Features Art by Al Phillips

“As I See It” is a diverse set of illustrations and paintings showcasing the work of Silver
Spring artist Al Phillips.  This exhibit offers us a
nostalgic trip through time, honoring select historical and cultural events and
personalities inspired by America's recent history. An assemblage
of over 30 of Al’s pieces, ranging from the 1970s until present day, will be on view from June 6 to July 12 at Kefa Café, 963
Bonifant Street in Silver Spring, Maryland.  Admission is free of charge and open to the
public Monday - Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM, Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Sunday
from 8 AM to 3 PM.  For more information, visit http://space710atkefa.blogspot.com/. 

The images, chosen from his large collection of works, represent a
passionate life dedicated to art - from the artist’s days as a young struggling
artist working the night shift as a janitor, through his esteemed career as a
newspaper illustrator, during his post retirement days living with Parkinson’s
disease, until present day.  The exhibit includes political, conceptual, sports and pop culture
illustrations that were originally used throughout sections of three major
newspapers. These visual editorials reflected Al’s viewpoint and were conveyed
by a wide variety of artistic approaches.  They played a significant role
as a visual partner to conceptual and analytical news articles, as a vehicle
for editorial opinion and as part of the newspaper’s identity. This collection
of drawings showcases Al's talent for capturing the character of his subjects,
while simultaneously providing valuable visual documentation of newsworthy
people and events.   Noted personalities included in the exhibit
include:  Martin Luther King, Michael Jordan, Woody Allen, Nelson Mandela,
Elvis, Bill Clinton, John Thompson, Janet Reno, Andrew Weil, Whoopi Goldberg among
others.

The show captures how Al Phillips, as an illustrator, was able to document,
evoke, amuse, question and tell a story while always keeping his audience in
mind.  “Artwork gives newspapers a
different feel compared to photographs.  When the newspaper wanted
something special for a story they would often choose art over photographs as
we could accentuate colors and exaggerate certain aspects of the image”. 
This is evident in Al’s illustration of Michael Jordan drawn as if he is flying
through the air while viewers are unable to see where the ground is. 

Al particularly enjoyed creating symbolic art which combines images
in order to infuse meaning.  Sometimes these pieces were controversial in
nature.  The show includes one such illustration titled Jesse Helms
versus National Endowment for the Arts which is based in a Normal Rockwell
setting.  Al initially had Jesse Helms portrayed in the mirror as Bozo the
Clown which his editors thought too provocative.  Al, although in
disagreement, replaced the clown figure with a stick figure as a symbol of the
character’s simple-mindedness. 

Viewers will also see a sample of Al’s extensive collection of
architectural illustrations.  “Architectural
art has been a way of saving my soul over the years. In the beginning I did
line drawings of houses because I was surrounded by beautiful architecture in
Chicago and I wanted to eventually have a career as an artist.  Now, due
to my Parkinson’s disease, I need to draw simpler shapes so I have more control
of my hand.  Over time I have figured out ways that I can still draw a
straight line even with my tremors.” 

Al titled the show “As I See It” to capture the essence of him being
an active artist over six decades and drawing and painting up until this
day.  As Al states, “Life is
exciting and I always have new projects in my mind. I am constantly finishing
up projects I have started”. 

Artist Bio

Born in 1933, Al Phillips grew up in rural Indiana and began
illustrating and painting at a very early age. Despite having Parkinson’s
disease since 1998, Al continues to illustrate and paint to this day. In the
mid 1970’s, until his retirement in the late 1990’s, Al worked as an
illustrator for three print newspapers, one of which had a readership of
300,000 people – the Chicago Daily News, Chicago Sun Times and the Charlotte
Observer. Everything he created while working at these newspapers had a
headline and usually an accompanying article. He was recognized as one of the
best illustrators in the country, winning five awards, over the years, from the
society of newspaper designers.  “I learned how to use my imagination
constructively for my work…..and how to make graceful illustrations. “ In
addition to illustration, Al invented an art toy called ArtBlocks© whose
purpose was to encourage non-artists to make art.  Artblocks©, 16 blocks
of wood with geometric shapes, has been sold at museums and gift stores
throughout the United States. Al has a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts (1955)
and a Master’s Degree in painting, graphics and print making
(1962).  Al now lives with his Daughter Kendra, and her wife Julie,
in Silver Spring Maryland. To contact Al Phillips please call 301-588-1934 or email
allanphillips33@gmail.com.