Paintings by Eric Garner will be on display at the Manassas campus of Northern Virginia Community College through Nov. 26. The exhibition is called “The Suburbs.”

Garner’s work reflects an interest in patterning and visual systems, with influences ranging from American quilts, Islamic arts and African textiles to infrastructure design conventions.

“This series started as an investigation of the patterns on the landscape created by infrastructure and development as seen from an aerial perspective,” Garner said. “However, in response to the recession of 2008-2009, the project quickly took on the broader theme of commentary on matters related to suburbanization and consumerism in post-WWII America. The work is based in highly realistic observational painting from photos while continuing to reflect my ongoing interest in patterning and constructivism.”

Garner grew up in Southern California and McLean, Va. He earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art and civil engineering from Stanford University in 1989 and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Stanford in 1990. In 2004, he completed a master of fine arts degree at the University of Maryland. He served on active duty in the United States Air Force and then worked in the commercial construction industry, managing building projects in Seattle, San Jose, Miami, and the Washington, D.C., area.

Garner’s work has been exhibited throughout the mid-Atlantic region, as well as in Los Angeles, Boston and New York. He teaches at Northern Virginia Community College and the Yellow Barn Studio in Glen Echo, Md. Garner lives in Bethesda, Md., with his wife Karin and their two boys.

A reception to meet the artist will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m., Nov. 13 in the exhibit space on the first floor of Colgan Hall.

The exhibition is free and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, plus 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturdays.

The campus is located at 6901 Sudley Road in Manassas.

For more information, contact Barbara Lash at blash@nvcc.edu or 703-257-6657.

By: Contributing Author

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