<i>Turquoise Man Jumping into Water</i> <br>C. 1982 Acrylic <br><br>#C8627

Mark Symczak Entitled Turquoise Man Jumping into Water, this c. 1982 acrylic on paper abstract is by artist Mark Symczak (1954-2015). Symczak was a Pittsburgh-born painter whose 40-year career was cut too short. Educated at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, his early work reflected the industrial landscapes of his youth, blending photo-realism with surrealist blur and density. After relocating to New York in 1982, his subject matter shifted toward human figures and urban life, deeply influenced by his work in theater set design in New York. Throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s, human subjects dominated the canvas. Scenes of people living in a tight metropolis were often depicted in a theater or nightclub setting. Despite their fragmented, cubist-like forms, the figures come together with the unity of a thoughtfully arranged ensemble. The excited energy of the stage and the warmth of collaboration can be felt in these scenes, even as his style turns toward the flat and angular line, often