Charleston artist Felix Krasyk will be releasing limited edition prints of six of his 1950’s paintings on Friday, November 27th, during this month’s Downtown Charleston ArtWalk at The Purple Moon.
Felix Krasyk spent the period of 1952 to 1959 in New York City working and learning textile design. He spent his days working at B. Altman’s and his evenings painting.
Speaking of those New York years Krasyk says, “I painted to keep myself from going nuts. Whenever I went home at night I closed and locked the steel apartment door and it felt like a prison. After all, I am a ‘country boy’ and I missed West Virginia.”
In 1959, Felix returned to Charleston, caring for his parents and working at Woodrum’s Department Store as a designer. He later co-founded Interior Design, Inc. in Kanawha City. Krasyk’s New York paintings were stored away.
There they remained until a 2006 exhibit at the University of Charleston’s Frankenberger Art Gallery. This inspired the artist to once again return to art after 47 years at age 80.
In February 2007, The Purple Moon presented an exhibit that mixed Krasyk’s 1950’s work with current pieces entitled Past & Present: a half-century of art. The majority of his 1950’s work and many of his new pieces quickly sold.
In The Charleston Gazette’s review of that show, Amanda Miller stated, “As someone directly influenced by the apex of modernism, Krasyk brings a quality of work back to Charleston reminiscent of West Virginia modernist Blanche Lazelle.”
Felix Krasyk and his work has been the focus of profiles in Charleston Magazine and in this piece for West Virginia Public Boadcasting’s Outlook Show.
These mark the first prints released by the artist and are limited to an edition of 10 for each of the six pieces.
The Purple Moon will also have on display original works by Mr. Krasyk.
