Otto Neals Exhibition: 'Diverse Universe' at Motique Gallery; Exhibition Runs Nov. 4 Through Dec. 2, 2006; Closing Reception Dec. 2nd 6-9 p.m.

The Motique Gallery is proud and honored to present new works by artist Otto Neals. The exhibition is called 'Diverse Universe', and runs Nov. 4 through Dec. 2, 2006. Closing Reception for Otto Neals is Saturday Dec. 2 from 6-9 p.m. The Motique Gallery is a unique venue providing a multi-sensory experience of art and creativity, in the warm, cozy and elegant setting of a classic Brooklyn Brownstone, resplendent with two fireplaces, fruit garden, finger foods and libations.

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) November 9, 2006 -- The Motique Gallery is proud and honored to present new works by artist Otto Neals. The exhibition is called 'Diverse Universe', and runs Nov. 4 through Dec. 2, 2006.

Closing Reception for Otto Neals is Saturday Dec. 2 from 6-9 p.m. The Motique Gallery is a unique venue providing a multi-sensory experience of art and creativity, in the warm, cozy, and elegant setting of a classic Brooklyn Brownstone, resplendent with two fireplaces, fruit garden, finger foods and libations.

Otto Neals, painter, sculptor and printmaker, was born December 11, 1930, to Gus and Della Neals in Lake City, South Carolina. When he was about four years of age, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he has lived ever since.
   
Neals is basically a self-taught artist except for a brief course in oil painting at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and at the Bob Blackburn Printmaking Workshop studying with Roberto DeLomanica and Krishna Reddy. In addition to painting and printmaking, he is proficient in stone and woodcarving. The late painter and sculptor, Vivian Schuyler Key, was largely responsible for his introduction to stone carving when she presented him with his first set of stone carving tools.

In 1951, he entered the U.S. Postal Service where he spent many years creating signs, posters and illustrations. One of his creations, a four feet by eight feet oak relief sculpture, is permanently displayed at the Brooklyn Post Office on Cadman Plaza in the Borough Hall section of Brooklyn.

Neals and four other artists founded the now defunct Weusi Nyumba Ya Sanaa Gallery in 1967 in the heart of Harlem where it attracted people from all over the world. He was also involved in the Fulton Art Fair, which was founded, by Ernie Crichlow, Jacob Lawrence and others in 1958.

His works are in public and private collections including the Columbia Museum of Art in South Carolina and the National Museum of Ghana. The private collectors include Randy Weston, Harry Belafonte and Oprah Winfrey. He had been commissioned by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation and the Prospect Park Alliance to create a work of art in bronze for the "Imagination Playground" which is located in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Other commissions include ten bronze plaques for the "Harlem Walk of Fame" and a bronze work, entitled, "Discovery" for the Brooklyn Children's Center.

Neals has been included in American Visions, Ebony, Everybody's, Sculpture and International Review of African American Art magazines. He is also featured in Elton Fax's "Black Artists of the New Generation" and has illustrated "African Heritage Cookbook" by Helen Mendes, "We Are The Children of the Great Ancient Africans" by Dr. Barbara Jackson and "The Adventures of Tony Mark and David" by Lenchen C. DeVane.

The Motique Gallery
Bashiri & Monifa Johnson, Proprietors
Ogundipe Fayomi, Curator
www.motiquegallery.com
1-877-MOTIQUE
1-718-361-3456
364 Sterling Place, Brooklyn, New York
- Limited hours
- By Appointment/Invitation only
- Monthly Receptions
- Online Catalog and Art Shop
- Heart Of Brooklyn Business Participant
- Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Member
- The Motique Gallery Foundation

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