The Runaways

by Richard Uhlich

I am inspired by classical painting, especially the works of Giotto and the early Netherlandish and Italian Renaissance periods. I am also drawn to landscapes, and my work often features landscapes I have experienced through my life: the forests of New England, the jungles of Vietnam, the redwoods of California, and now the banyans and mangroves of Florida.

I use classical tropes to frame my work: humanity’s struggle against evil, or the loss of Paradise are two I keep returning to. They allow me to dive deeply into the space, light, and texture of a work, while also exploring humanity’s relationship to nature and its vulnerability to violence.

Richard Uhlich was born in New York and attended the School of Visual Arts before being drafted in 1967. He saw active combat in Vietnam, including the Tet Offensive. Upon returning to New York he became a charter member of the Bowery Gallery, and over the next ten years had three one-man shows and participated in every group exhibition. However, work demands forced him to give up his studio for many years. In 2017 he retired to Florida, where he resumed drawing full time. You can see more of his work here.