ABOUT PHIL PADWE

Phil received a BA in Writing from SUNY Purchase, and MFA in Drawing from the New York Academy of Art. In between he completed a two year independent study of Old Master drawings at the British Museum; and fell in love with the Old Master medium of silverpoint.

Phil has had his portraiture appear in The New York Times; NPR; and on NY1 News. He has commissioned portraits in the collections of Columbia University and NYU's School of International Students and Scholars; and is in the permanent collection of the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University.

 

Phil teaches Cast Drawing at the Art Students League of New York and has taught Life Drawing to undergrads at the the New York Academy of Art; as well as at The Salmagundi Club. Phil teaches Silverpoint Workshops and is available for private lessons and guided museum tours in Manhattan.

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Recent work includes an ongoing series of still-life studies of trash cans, garbage bags, and litter. "It's Art as Alchemy," explains Padwe; "I'm turning trash into art, and bearing witness to this moment in history."

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"A NYC trash can, or even a closed-up bag, is one of the most democratic subjects for a still life; anyone can add anything at any time!" He says. "And rendering the bags reminds me of the Morandi quote that, 'Nothing is more abstract than reality.' I feel that when I'm focused on representing some ultimately meaningless detail."

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Aside from the obvious ecological timeliness of 'trash' as a theme, the garbage series also resonates as being reflective of contemporary culture; current politics, shifting societal mores, popular music and art, etc.

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