ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES - ROBERT KUSHNER

His fascination with both Western and non-Western cultures has been one of the primary influences in his career. In his recent work, Kushner has turned to the garden, one of the most constant, universal, and symbolic themes in art. Every culture and religion incorporates the symbol of a garden: a place apart where heaven on earth is most closely aligned. The vitality of Kushner's art is built on a sophisticated understanding of decorative and formal issues and 25 years of studying art, philosophy and religion. His work is a beautiful creation celebrating organic forms in voluptuous colors and textures on a horizon of gold.

Born in California, Robert was influenced by his mother, Dorothy Kushner. a serious painter and art teacher. She introduced her young child to the accomplishments of modern artists and steadily encouraged him to create his own art. By 1969, then a sophomore at the University of California San Diego, Robert had already had a solo show at a Laguna Beach gallery. After his graduation in 1971 he moved to Boston, and finally to New York City in 1972, where he continues to live and work to this day. His work is included in the public collections of every major museum in the United States as well as some of the most prominent museums in the world including the Uffizi in Florence,TheTate Gallery, London. Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Ludwig Museum, Budapest, Museum Ludwig, St. Petersburg, Groninger Museum, the Netherlands, and Museum Moderner Kunst-Palais Liechtenstein, Vienna.