Contemporary Icons

Join Eisele Gallery on Friday June 14th to celebrate two Contemporary Icons- Jack Meanwell (1919-2005) and Paul Chidlaw (1900-1989). Both of these Abstract expressionists had successful careers in Cincinnati and their paintings still carry on their legacies today. Eisele Gallery’s exhibition Contemporary Icons celebrates some of their best and never-before-seen work created at multiple points in their careers. In addition, the exhibition will feature other abstract expressionist works by noted artists such as Harry Reisiger and Hugh Mesibov. An opening reception will be held on Friday, June 14^th from 5pm-8pm at Eisele Gallery. The exhibition will run from June 14^th – August 3^rd.

JACK MEANWELL (1919-2005)

Jack Meanwell grew up in Windsor, Ontario, across the river from Detroit, and attended the Detroit Art Academy and the Society of Arts and Crafts. He became an artist of landscape and figurative work in styles ranging from totally abstract to realism. Meanwell spent over 25 years as an instructor in the community education program at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and, while living in Cincinnati, maintained a studio in a mansion built in 1818 called Elmwood Hall in Ludlow, Kentucky. He and his wife spent their summers in Canada. His work is in the permanent collection of the Cincinnati Art Museum.

PAUL CHIDLAW (1900-1989)

Paul Chidlaw’s art career began as a designer in Cincinnati. Upon realizing that design was not for him, he moved to France to begin a more formal art education. Chidlaw returned to Cincinnati in 1935 and taught and painted various commissions including Work Progress Administration (WPA) murals under the Federal Art Project. During World War II, he served in the US Army Engineers. He taught at the Art Academy of Cincinnati from 1947 until his retirement in 1963. During his tenure, he influenced artists such as Jim Dine and Tom Wesselmann. His paintings hang in The Cincinnati Art Museum and Xavier University