“Beach Coast Friends,” Copyright Aldo Luongo 2017
STONE HARBOR – This July, Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor will host Aldo Luongo with his “Reflections of Summer” exhibit, an amazing collection of new paintings inspired by an innate love of summer and the seashore.
Born in Argentina of Italian heritage, Aldo Luongo graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires. Shortly after graduating, he was recruited by the New York Generals and came to the United States to play professional soccer, one of his two great passions. Aldo was living in New York when an injury cut his athletic career short. Inspired by the city’s many museums and galleries, Luongo decided to follow his dream and pursue his other immense passion – art.
In the 1970s, he had his first major success with multiple reproductions of his black and white drawings. Released to great critical acclaim and garnering huge commercial success, the art put him on the map as a major international artist.
From his acrylics to his fine art prints, all of Aldo Luongo’s pieces embody the same sense of fluidity and intensity, the result of a true artist engaged in the passionate process of creation. His bold, impressionistic style has often been referred to as “Romance on Canvas.” Central to all of Luongo’s paintings is the balance between memory and hope, sorrow and humor, freedom and control. These dynamics are clearly apparent in his figurative works, especially those portraying “The Hawk,” an archetypal character based on the memory of his father and the discovery of his future self.
Luongo has continued his reign at the top of the contemporary art world for almost four decades. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards and honors.
“Reflections of Summer” opens at Ocean Galleries, 9618 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, on Friday, July 21 and is on display through Tuesday, July 25 with all artwork available for acquisition. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. There will be two opportunities to meet Aldo Loungo at Ocean Galleries during receptions taking place from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 22 and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 23. All artwork will be personally signed by the artist during the receptions.
Ocean Galleries also offers a variety of handmade crafts from local, regional and national artists, such as glass, pottery, jewelry and furniture. The Avalon location of Ocean Galleries, 2199 Ocean Dr., is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (609) 368-7777 or visit oceangalleries.com.