Rick Librizzi: Life is Art

Jun 24 - Jul 29, 2022
Installation Views
Press Release
Rick Librizzi was raised in a mountain town, fair to describe as hardscrabble. Born in the Depression to second generation Italian immigrant parents, prospects were grim. Except, there was some spark of hope in the love of arts and letters bequeathed by his roustabout father, sometime artist and poet Raymond “Raylib” Librizzi. Rick did not ride the rails as his father had, but took up hitch hiking to escape the small town confines, going as far afield as California and the Yucatán in search of himself. Finally, like many poor Americans, he enlisted in the Army in hopes of a way out, but this short stint with the military ended in a fiasco just shy of a court martial. But, if he had learned one thing at boot camp it came while flipping through Life magazine. Seeing a tiny reproduction of Motherwell’s “Homely Protestant,” suddenly a path was paved to a glorious future beginning in New York City haunts like the Cedar Tavern and other Abstract Expressionist watering holes. 
 
Working his way through courses at the Art Students League, Librizzi adapted himself to the ways of an artist, beginning a disciplined studio practice that would last the rest of his life. While he may have succeeded in befriending the remaining Abstract Expressionists he would alienate them just as quickly, having been struck by certain young Turk notions of austere Minimalism, at odds with the prevailing dogma of the generation. He enjoyed early success, his cutting edge talent embraced by Walter Chrysler and Ivan Karp, the visionary art dealers of the time.
 
Another personality may have pursued an art career, made all the more uncertain by his iconoclast revolt and mercurial upheavals, but around that time he married and became a father. His friendship with Art world favorite Andy Warhol guaranteed him a lucrative living as a private art dealer. The family man in him prevailed and he continued to take risks in his art, not with his life. He was a dealer by day, polishing his public persona to function and flourish at the top of the food chain, but at night, for the remainder of his 82 years, he was again that drop-out, that runaway, that wild boy from the train tracks.And the volumes of paintings and sculpture composing his life’s work tell the story of a poetic ascent into the abstract unknown. It was never a priority for him to exhibit again, but he preferred to create in this pristine state, a world apart. 
 
Artworks
  • Rick Librizzi View, 1972 acrylic on raw canvas 34 x 28 in. 86.4 x 71.1 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    View, 1972
    acrylic on raw canvas
    34 x 28 in.
    86.4 x 71.1 cm
  • Rick Librizzi Magenta Track, 1971 Acrylic on canvas 34 x 34 in. 86.4 x 86.4 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    Magenta Track, 1971
    Acrylic on canvas
    34 x 34 in.
    86.4 x 86.4 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (orange splatter on white), 2002 Acrylic on canvas 14 x 20 in. 35.6 x 50.8 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (orange splatter on white), 2002
    Acrylic on canvas
    14 x 20 in.
    35.6 x 50.8 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (string on felt) Mixed media on canvas 16 x 11 in. 40.6 x 27.9 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (string on felt)
    Mixed media on canvas
    16 x 11 in.
    40.6 x 27.9 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (silver/black with screw) Mixed media on canvas 14 x 11 in. 35.6 x 27.9 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (silver/black with screw)
    Mixed media on canvas
    14 x 11 in.
    35.6 x 27.9 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (orange sun/multicolor background), 2005 Acrylic on canvas 11 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. 29.2 x 36.8 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (orange sun/multicolor background), 2005
    Acrylic on canvas
    11 1/2 x 14 1/2 in.
    29.2 x 36.8 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (blue on red), 2005 Acrylic on canvas 20 x 10 in. 50.8 x 25.4 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (blue on red), 2005
    Acrylic on canvas
    20 x 10 in.
    50.8 x 25.4 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (silver triangle on blue), 1986 Acrylic on canvas 24 x 30 in. 61.0 x 76.2 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (silver triangle on blue), 1986
    Acrylic on canvas
    24 x 30 in.
    61.0 x 76.2 cm
  • Rick Librizzi Lyric Mixed media on canvas 24 1/2 x 18 1/2 in. 62.2 x 47.0 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    Lyric
    Mixed media on canvas
    24 1/2 x 18 1/2 in.
    62.2 x 47.0 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (silver/black protruding ring), 2016 Mixed media on canvas 8 x 12 in. 20.3 x 30.5 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (silver/black protruding ring), 2016
    Mixed media on canvas
    8 x 12 in.
    20.3 x 30.5 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (blue rectangles on green), 2005 Acrylic on canvas 20 x 16 in. 50.8 x 40.6 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (blue rectangles on green), 2005
    Acrylic on canvas
    20 x 16 in.
    50.8 x 40.6 cm
  • Rick Librizzi P-Town A, 2005 Acrylic on canvas 30 x 24 in. 76.2 x 61.0 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    P-Town A, 2005
    Acrylic on canvas
    30 x 24 in.
    76.2 x 61.0 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (purple rectangle with light streak on blue) Acrylic on canvas 10 1/4 x 18 in. 26.0 x 45.7 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (purple rectangle with light streak on blue)
    Acrylic on canvas
    10 1/4 x 18 in.
    26.0 x 45.7 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (green rectangles on orange), ca. 1992-2005 Acrylic on canvas 48 x 24 in. 121.9 x 61.0 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (green rectangles on orange), ca. 1992-2005
    Acrylic on canvas
    48 x 24 in.
    121.9 x 61.0 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (large green splatter, small orange, on purple), 2005 Acrylic on canvas 24 x 12 in. 61.0 x 30.5 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (large green splatter, small orange, on purple), 2005
    Acrylic on canvas
    24 x 12 in.
    61.0 x 30.5 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (black, bulging metal) Mixed media on canvas 8 x 24 in. 20.3 x 61.0 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (black, bulging metal)
    Mixed media on canvas
    8 x 24 in.
    20.3 x 61.0 cm
  • Rick Librizzi Provincetown Blue (triptych), 2006 Acrylic on canvas 72 x 72 in. 182.9 x 182.9 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    Provincetown Blue (triptych), 2006
    Acrylic on canvas
    72 x 72 in.
    182.9 x 182.9 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (silver lightening on blue), 1986 Acrylic on canvas 14 x 18 in. 35.6 x 45.7 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (silver lightening on blue), 1986
    Acrylic on canvas
    14 x 18 in.
    35.6 x 45.7 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (mulitcolor stripes), 1973 Acrylic on canvas 20 x 16 in. 50.8 x 40.6 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (mulitcolor stripes), 1973
    Acrylic on canvas
    20 x 16 in.
    50.8 x 40.6 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (silver/black circle) Acrylic on canvas 12 x 9 in. 30.5 x 22.9 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (silver/black circle)
    Acrylic on canvas
    12 x 9 in.
    30.5 x 22.9 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (felt - magenta on yellows), 1974 Mixed media on stretcher bars 20 x 20 in. 50.8 x 50.8 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (felt - magenta on yellows), 1974
    Mixed media on stretcher bars
    20 x 20 in.
    50.8 x 50.8 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (ochre and orange brush smudges) Acrylic on canvas 16 x 12 in. 40.6 x 30.5 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (ochre and orange brush smudges)
    Acrylic on canvas
    16 x 12 in.
    40.6 x 30.5 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (squares on squares!), 1985 Acrylic on canvas 18 x 14 1/2 in. 45.7 x 36.8 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (squares on squares!), 1985
    Acrylic on canvas
    18 x 14 1/2 in.
    45.7 x 36.8 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (felt - red on pink w/string), 1974 Mixed media on stretcher bars 30 x 16 in. 76.2 x 40.6 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (felt - red on pink w/string), 1974
    Mixed media on stretcher bars
    30 x 16 in.
    76.2 x 40.6 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (green rectangles on purple), 2005 Acrylic on canvas 24 x 24 in. 61.0 x 61.0 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (green rectangles on purple), 2005
    Acrylic on canvas
    24 x 24 in.
    61.0 x 61.0 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled (blue rectangle on green splatter on blue), 2005 Acrylic on canvas 24 x 12 in. 61.0 x 30.5 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled (blue rectangle on green splatter on blue), 2005
    Acrylic on canvas
    24 x 12 in.
    61.0 x 30.5 cm
  • Rick Librizzi One to Six, 1970 Spray paint on canvas 24 1/2 x 18 1/2 in. 62.2 x 47.0 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    One to Six, 1970
    Spray paint on canvas
    24 1/2 x 18 1/2 in.
    62.2 x 47.0 cm
  • Rick Librizzi Vision One, 1998 Spray paint on canvas 26 x 32 in. 66.0 x 81.3 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    Vision One, 1998
    Spray paint on canvas
    26 x 32 in.
    66.0 x 81.3 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sketch (orange and black) marker and acrylic on paper 15 3/4 x 12 1/2 in. 40.0 x 31.8 cm Notes: dims for frame; drawing size = 12 x 8 3/4""
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sketch (orange and black)
    marker and acrylic on paper
    15 3/4 x 12 1/2 in.
    40.0 x 31.8 cm
    Notes:
    dims for frame; drawing size = 12 x 8 3/4""
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sketch (black) Charcoal on paper 12 x 14 3/4 in. 30.5 x 37.5 cm Notes: dims for frame: drawing size = 9 x 12""
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sketch (black)
    Charcoal on paper
    12 x 14 3/4 in.
    30.5 x 37.5 cm
    Notes:
    dims for frame: drawing size = 9 x 12""
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sketch (black and silver) 15 1/2 x 12 1/2 in. 39.4 x 31.8 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sketch (black and silver)
    15 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.
    39.4 x 31.8 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sculpture (big silver) Metal 10 x 7 in. 25.4 x 17.8 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sculpture (big silver)
    Metal
    10 x 7 in.
    25.4 x 17.8 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sculpture (small black) Metal 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. 8.9 x 6.3 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sculpture (small black)
    Metal
    3 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.
    8.9 x 6.3 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sculpture (small silver and white) Metal 4 1/4 x 3 1/2 in. 10.8 x 8.9 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sculpture (small silver and white)
    Metal
    4 1/4 x 3 1/2 in.
    10.8 x 8.9 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sculpture (big silver and black) Metal 10 x 8 in. 25.4 x 20.3 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sculpture (big silver and black)
    Metal
    10 x 8 in.
    25.4 x 20.3 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sculpture (small silver/orange/black) Metal 2 1/2 x 2 in. 6.3 x 5.1 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sculpture (small silver/orange/black)
    Metal
    2 1/2 x 2 in.
    6.3 x 5.1 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sculpture (big silver and white) Metal 8 5/1 x 2 in. 33.0 x 5.1 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sculpture (big silver and white)
    Metal
    8 5/1 x 2 in.
    33.0 x 5.1 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sculpture (small silver and blue) Metal 5 x 3 1/2 in. 12.7 x 8.9 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sculpture (small silver and blue)
    Metal
    5 x 3 1/2 in.
    12.7 x 8.9 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sculpture (all white) Metal 8 1/4 x 6 in. 21.0 x 15.2 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sculpture (all white)
    Metal
    8 1/4 x 6 in.
    21.0 x 15.2 cm
  • Rick Librizzi untitled sculpture (big orange and silver) Metal 10 x 7 1/2 in. 25.4 x 19.1 cm
    Rick Librizzi
    untitled sculpture (big orange and silver)
    Metal
    10 x 7 1/2 in.
    25.4 x 19.1 cm