A new exhibit, Drawn to Life, features 40 years of figure drawings by esteemed artist and Wagner College photography professor Antonio Reonegro. The exhibition opens Saturday, July 18, at Art Lab, located on Staten Island, and runs through Aug. 22.
Reonegro is a multifaceted artist who has worked in photography, graphic design, painting and multiple mediums over the last four decades. You might not even realize it, but you've probably seen his work before. He has created pieces for the Grateful Dead, Joan Jett, MTV and Off-Broadway shows such as Rocktopia.
“Preparing for this exhibition meant going through more than 5,000 drawings and narrowing them down to about 250 pieces. It was both exciting and challenging because each drawing represents a different moment in my artistic journey... I chose works that marked important stages of my growth as an artist,” said Reonegro.
This exhibit is unique because it doesn't showcase the flashy rock ’n' roll style he's known for. Instead, he went back to basics with sketches and figure drawing, which he considers the strongest foundation any artist can have.
“I believe figure drawing teaches artists how to truly see. It develops an understanding of anatomy, proportion, movement, light and expression. That's why I continue to draw today, and why I encourage every art student to embrace it. A strong foundation in figure drawing will improve every aspect of their work, regardless of the medium or career path they choose.”
Wagner students, regardless of major, are encouraged to check out the exhibit this summer. The process of drawing teaches you how to think, observe and solve visual problems, according to Reonegro. Those are skills that stay with you after graduation.
The Art Lab is located at 1000 Richmond Terrace, Building H. To learn more about the gallery and exhibition, check out their website.Â
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