Albert Schweitzer's narrative paintings and sculptures in "Inside, Looking In" at Gallery Neptune are alive with color and crazy looking people. They are immediate images, originating from the same primitive force found in children's art. In this collection as with all his work, Schweitzer is focused on characterization more than representational accuracy often using vivid colors and fluid lines. Working spontaneously, Schweitzer begins with people or animal images allowing them to inform the environments they are contained within.
Artistically inspired from the age of six by his father's cartoons of pinup models, pirates and drawings made while in WWII in 1941, Schweitzer grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and had the same art teacher from kindergarten all the way through to the 12th grade.
Mexican surrealism and the art of Jean Dubuffett, Joan Miro, Emil Nolde and Karel Appel have all influenced Schweitzer's work. The emotional content expressed by these artists through their strong use of color and surrealistic mindscapes rang true to Schweitzer's own interpretation of the human spirit. Often autobiographical, Schweitzer's paintings and drawings reflect societal conditions, referencing commercialism, religion, sexuality, personal relationships and social acceptance.
It isn't hard to get to know this artist through his stark, humorous and exaggerated perception of life. His work beckons you like a carnival with colored lights and fantastic forms, making you an immediate guest of his strange and beautiful world.
Albert Schweitzer received his MFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 1995 and has exhibited in the Mid Atlantic area since the mid 1990's. His work has been shown in Baltimore at The American Visionary Museum and Maryland Art Place, and included in the 2006 Affordable Art Fair in New York City.