“There was only one way that I could make these works. I needed to imagine as if I was actually collaborating with these painters ... that they each gave me permission to finish the artworks each had ‘started’ many years ago.” In Modern Masters at Denver’s Mirus Gallery, Anthony Lister (who spoke with us for Radio Juxtapoz Podcast, Episode 7) channels the techniques, color pallets and themes of favorite past painters with whom he has had an ongoing dialogue. When we look at art, indeed, we each have dialogue with the painters, sculptors and photographers who make the objects of our attention. Lister joyously admits it, but has the chops to go much further in enlarging the vista or continuing the story of art history gems created by Warhol, Matisse and Picasso, for example. In drawing from his persona masters, Lister pays homage, expands their subject and re-energizes the works with his own trademark musical and comic flare, take care to honor the dimensions, coloration and ideas. Art history couldn’t be more alive.

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With sense of humor firmly at hand, Anthony Lister nevertheless brings a serious eye to social issues, which he explores with nuance and an inquiring mind. He graduated from Queensland College of Art, pioneered Australia’s Street Art movement before moving to New York City, and guested numerous talks and panels with special focus on his Contemporary Mythology artwork. His partnership with the on-spot Roger Gastman, late of Art in the Streets at LACMA, and collaborations with writers, poets, musicians and other painters speak to his contemporary cred. The title of his Gingko Press book, Anthony Lister:​ ADVENTURE PAINTER hints that there's a lot more ahead. 

Modern Masters opens at Denver’s Mirus Gallery on September 6, 2019, with an opening reception from 7 to 10:00pm, and is on view through October 12th.