Paul Hoffman may be Greenfield Gallery’s most exhibited artist.
The longtime illustrator, turned painter, has shown his work there three times, most recently his one-man show running through June 30.
“What’s wonderful about the Greenfield Gallery is they’re dedicated to community,” he says. “At these [artist] receptions and First Fridays, it’s just extraordinary to see the crowd that shows up for them. It’s just amazing. For Greenfield this is new and it really comes out of their vision.”
It’s easy to see what the gallery owners see in Hoffman’s work. His acrylics on wood evoke the same light and life found in the southern European al fresco reliefs and murals of the 16th century — if they were applied to traditional Japanese panels. The subjects of his work go back further still to the ancient people, who inspired the Renaissance, with their use of symbols to communicate messages across centuries regardless of language or cultural context.
There’s a timelessness to Hoffman’s art, yet the accessibility of the paintings make them feel modern and immediate, too.
So, in a lot of ways Hoffman is the perfect fit for Greenfield Gallery. He’s got a deep sense of history and place, and the gallery is very much trying to create its own history and place.
Hoffman, who is in his 60s, has been an artist residing in Greenfield for 22 years. He says in his time in town, there hasn’t been a gallery like Greenfield Gallery. In fact, he can only name five or so galleries that have come through the city over the past two decades.
“They all last about two years,” Hoffman says, noting the Pushkin stayed open for six. “What’s wonderful about Greenfield Gallery is they created the best venue that Greenfield has seen in many years. They really created a destination.”
Hoffman says what sets Greenfield Gallery apart from other galleries that have tried to make it in the town is that it has the total package — professional lighting, walls, and staff — plus artist workspace on the second floor. Having a bunch of artists around the gallery all the time is what fosters a creative community.
“At a reception I’ll meet a painter with a space upstairs and just go upstairs and look at whatever they’re painting. You can go up and see a weaver who is doing beautiful work,” Hoffman says. “These workshops upstairs, these spaces are used rather elaborately. I think it’s a great idea and it’s really amazing to see it in Greenfield.”
