Escalet 2022

About the exhibition

“[‘Sing Me the Blues’ celebrates] the achievement of the Puerto Rico-born artist, Frank Diaz Escalet (1930-2012), who initially made paintings from stained leather before translating its rich flat colors into acrylic paint.”
-Roberta Smith, The New York Times

Meredith Ward Fine Art is pleased to present Frank Diaz Escalet: Sing Me the Blues, an exhibition of paintings and inlaid cut leather works on view from April 29 through June 24 (extended through July 29, 2022). Centered on music and dance in the work of Frank Diaz Escalet (1930-2012), the show is the second exhibition of the artist’s work at Meredith Ward Fine Art. The gallery successfully debuted Escalet’s work last year, which was the first exhibition since his death. Almost entirely self-taught, Puerto Rican-born Escalet was a painter and master leathercrafter, and developed his own technique for creating images out of cut leather that vividly capture the dynamics of a scene.

From his inlaid cut leather works of the 1970s and 1980s to his later paintings, Escalet’s bold compositions celebrate the joy and solace found in music and dance. These works convey the pulse of New York City nightlife and share a deep pride in the folk traditions of his native Puerto Rico. A jazz enthusiast who spent time in New York City jazz clubs, Escalet depicted figures from across the history of 20th century jazz while tapping into the creative energy that sustains the genre. Escalet’s keen eye and confident hand captures the vivacity and humanity shared through these cultural pastimes.

Read Roberta Smith’s review in The New York Times.
Read more about Escalet here.