In the Gallery at Syosset Public Library


art work

A diptych from Riders & Vehicles: 2022 by Patrick J. Aievoli on view in the Syosset Library Gallery June 25 through July 22.

Riders & Vehicles: 2022 by Patrick J. Aievoli, 12 diptychs that contrast chaos and control, will be on display in the Syosset Library Gallery from June 25 through July 22. A diptych is a painting or relief carving made of two parts, often joined with a hinge. In this case, the artist uses acrylic and pencil on canvas with wood to create two colorful, abstract treatments connected by a handwritten phrase.

The image on one side of the diptych is characterized by an uneven, random pattern of color, while the image on the other is more geometric and predictable. Inspirational phrases—such as “so many dreams need a structure to go forward,” “ride forward through all obstacles and storms,” and “lunge deep into the fight be not afraid”—explore the artist’s theme and provide the viewer with food for thought.

Aievoli’s’ artwork is rooted in the traditions of early abstract expressionists, as well as the Neo Expressionist Movement. He began winning contests for representational themes early on, in grade school. The works of abstract expressionists, including Arshile Gorky, Franz Kline, Clyfford Still, Hans Hofmann, Willem de Kooning, and Jackson Pollock, began intriguing him in the 1970s.

“As I grew older, the abstract grew to my attention—the unraveling of the puzzle and finding the patterns,” Aievoli said. “Later I was introduced to a very controlled chaos by seeing the work of both Robert Rauschenberg and Richard Diebenkorn through their retrospectives in 1976 and 1978.”

In this exhibition, the title reference to “rider” comes from old rodeo photographs, while the reference to “vehicle” is inspired by the artist’s personal photographs of the back of different trucks. According to Mr. Aievoli, the exhibit probes the question: Have we built a life supported by a structure that can carry us through?

In Mr. Aievoli’s view, we are all riders through life, and we have all created our own vehicles to carry us along on our journey. “The best we can hope for in life is to hold on for eight seconds. I am fascinated by the quick decisions we have to make to keep our balance and go forward in life,” he said. “At times we meet chaos. Sometimes we need to adjust our vehicles to balance the ride. That is when we need to trust that our vehicle will support us and control the day.”

Mr. Aievoli is an Associate Professor of Design in the Digital Arts and Design program at Long Island University, Post campus. He has had numerous one-man shows and has participated in group shows since 1978 throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties at spaces such as the Memorial Gallery SUNY Farmingdale, Huntington Public Library, Fine Arts Museum of Long Island, Nassau County Museum of Art, and Islip Museum, among others. He said the goal of his current work is to play with the confluence of chaos and control in order to establish balance.

Syosset Public Library is located at 225 South Oyster Bay Road in Syosset. For more information about programs, services, and hours, call 516-921-7161, or visit the library or the website at www.syossetlibrary.org.

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