CINNABAR GALLERY
Gary Webernick was born in Georgetown, Texas in 1948. He currently resides east of Austin, Texas near Mountain City, Texas.
Mr. Webernick attended Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He received an Associate of Arts Degree from Broward College, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Oklahoma.
Working in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, mixed-media installations, photography, video and books, Webernick has exhibited extensively nationally with work included in private and public collections, as well as a variety of publications.
He is a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts/Rockefeller Grant for Interdisciplinary Artists and has been awarded various artist grants including an Installation Grant from the Austin Museum of Art.
As an artist working in Anchorage, Alaska, Webernick received an Individual Artist Grant as well as a Alaska State Travel Grant from the Alaska State Council for the Arts.
Mr. Webernick has taught at various art schools, colleges and universities throughout the United States; he is currently a Professor and Chair of the Art Department at Austin Community College.
Artist Statement:
Like many of us, I began to draw when I was a child ---- a "doodler" with pencil and paper. In my later youth I painted a few pictures, but never really thought of being an artist; my dream was to be an architect.
I realized later that I was probably too "stubborn" to be an architect --- too much structure. I made art instead, but it made sense at times to have the structure, the "design" of architecture at my disposal with the addition or combination of the emotional --- more latitude, more freedom. Painting, drawing and sculpture allowed the option of fusing all of the elements.
I never lost my love for architecture; I continue to make connections to its essence. The objects oftentimes become temples, totems and shrines that keep me connected to my personal spirit, but simultaneously, allude to past and present cultures and, perhaps, universal truths.
Throughout my artistic history, one common thread continues-Political/Social Commentary.
After 9/11, this direction intensified.
Gary Webernick
2008