SAN DIEGO–Visiting Paris this summer? Just one block from the Notre Dame cathedral, stop in at the Galerie Artes at 11 Rue Frédéric Sauton across the River Seine in the heart of Paris’s bustling Left Bank.
In late July and August, the gallery is showcasing a collection of contemporary art works chosen by a Juried panel in an open call to all Artists. Many of the Works on display are by International artists, including San Diego-based Walid Khalaf.
The exhibition formally opens with a public reception on July 28 in the gallery at 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will remain open to the general public until August 4.
According to Khalaf, Galerie Artes is an ideal reference point for showing his “San Diego Sunset,” an oil painting on canvas.
“I suspect that many French visitors to the exhibition will be reminded of scenes from the Mediterranean coastline,” said Khalaf, who moved to the United States at age 17. “But I hope the painting will also make visitors consider visiting San Diego to experience first-hand the nature and sunsets that we San Diegans sometimes take for granted.”
Vibrant colors are a hallmark of Khalaf’s paintings, which are all oils. “The medium made sense to me,” he explained. “I loved the challenge of combining colors to achieve subtle hues, as well as layering and texturing paint to achieve a 3D-like quality. It’s time consuming, but very gratifying. I really enjoy seeing how colors profoundly affect all living things!”
The artist studied oil painting at the Parsons School of Design and has a growing following in the U.S. market. His works are cherished by collectors including Influential Business Leaders, Broadway and Film Stars ,as well as private collectors from Hong Kong, Australia and the Middle East .
“Paris is the city of art,” added Khalaf. “I am flattered to be able to introduce my work to a new audience through the IN3 exhibition, to see how they respond to the subject matter and get lost in the uplifting colors.”
IN3 is organized by the International Initiatives Invitational Art Worldwide organization, which aims to deliver real-world exposure to visual artists around the globe. Previous IN3 exhibits have brought U.S. art to galleries and museums in Spain, Italy, Sweden, Eastern Europe and New York.
For more on the artist and oeuvre, visit https://m.facebook.com/Oilpainterman
