Impressions and Abstractions: new art exhibit November 1, 2012

Displaying impressionist, realist and modernist art in the Eastern Bloc (pre and post Soviet Empire), University of Toronto professor of psychology, author and passionate art collector Dr. Jordan B. Peterson (who lives in Toronto’s annex neighbourhood) showcases a series of paintings from his extensive private collection titled ‘Impressions and Abstractions’.
The exhibit opens with a public reception on Thursday, November 1 (6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), and runs to November 17, 2012 at Leonardo Galleries, Toronto (new location at 112 Scollard St., Yorkville).
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, who has appeared frequently on TVO shows such as Big Ideas and The Agenda with Steve Paikin states, “During the 20th century, in the West, the idea that technical ability was necessary for artistic expression became subject to radical criticism. In consequence, much of the hard-won knowledge of the 19th European Academies was lost. In the Eastern Bloc, by contrast, such knowledge was maintained and developed, and the rough impressionist-realism that resulted was often very skilled. Simultaneously, a graphic/modernist tradition developed in the Eastern bloc, resulting in the establishment of a school of abstraction, often heavily influenced by the constructivism and suprematism of the 1920's.”
The presented works, ranging in size from miniature to monumental, provide a sample of the technical talent preserved in the Soviet Union and its surprising range; particularly with respect to impressionism. “Working class” impressionism, as it has come to be called, is much rougher and less romantic than its French equivalent, and manifests a surprising capacity to capture the essence of its representations. Most of the pieces were completed in oils, with an accompaniment of gouache and mixed-media.
For more exhibit information visit; http://www.leonardogalleries.com.
Jordan B. Peterson has a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Alberta. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from McGill University. Peterson resided in Montreal from 1985-1993, where he studied under the supervision of Dr. Robert O. Pihl and Dr. Maurice Dongier. From 1993-1998 he lived in Arlington, Massachusetts, while teaching and conducting research at Harvard University. He has resided in Toronto since 1998.
As a member of the Yorkville Art Galleries Collective, Leonardo Galleries participates occasionally in the free monthly Yorkville Art Gallery Walk, which is held the first Thursday of each month and coincides with some exhibition openings.
Leonardo Galleries, Toronto is devoted to the promotion of contemporary art. The gallery represents local and international artists and has a significant collection of works of art in painting, print-media, sculpture and photography. Leonardo Galleries also specializes in conservation framing and expert art restoration.

Official Website: http://www.leonardogalleries.com