DAVID B. HOPPE

ABOUT

In the beginning I approached painting (or perhaps my “art”) in much the same way as the monkeys in the opening scenes of A Space Odyssey: 2001 approached the monolith. I have never truly discovered why I paint, I only know that I was compelled to do so. And, doing so started a process which even now, after all these years, I do not fully comprehend.

I am in actuallity an analog dinosaur who’s aesthetic owes allegiance to Surrealism and the Matisse side of the twentieth century. I am aware of the fact that the millennium has passed, however I have never had any political, economic or social ax to artistically grind, so the fact that my creative analog knuckles drag the ground does not particularly disturb me. Although I am aware of contemporary artistic demands my major consideration is still for the formal aspects and specific pictorial content is not explicitly intentional.

 After years of reflection I am beginning to realize that my paintings are in reality large, complex “doodles”. My major concern is to enjoy myself and hopefully to bring some joy to the viewer; in that sense I consider myself to be more of a “visual entertainer” then an artist. Hopefully the viewer will find their own naritive and the merit of my work will be dependent on what is seen not said.

RESUME: 
Looking back over the years I find that only a few of my artistic accomplishments have withstood the test of time. Although I have not had 15 minutes of fame I have, over the years been blessed with a few 10-second shots!

1970’s:  
1. The Minnesota Museum of Art, Saint Paul Minnesota purchased work for the Museum’s permanent collection.
2. Represented the State of Arizona at the Biennial Four Corners Exhibition held at the Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, Arizona

1980’s:
Received a Purchase Award from T. M. Messer, Director, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum during the Mid-America Biennial Exhibition held at the Owensboro Museum of Fine art, Owensboro, Kentucky

1990’s:  
1. One Person Exhibition at The Pennsylvania School of Art and Design, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
2. Numerous One Person Exhibitions at the Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, California
3. Exhibited work at the National Invitational Art Exhibition held at Brenau College, Gainsville, Georgia. Work selected by Leo Catelli, Founder and Director of Castelli Galleries, New York City, New York

2000’s:  
One Person Exhibition at the James Snidel Gallery in both Chico and San Francisco, California