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Gregory Blackstock: Blackstock's Collections

OPENING RECEPTION: First Thursday October 5, 2006 - 6pm-8pm
OPEN DAILY: Wednesday thru Saturday 11am-5pm
CLOSING: Saturday November 25, 2006
WHERE: Garde Rail Gallery - 110 Third Avenue South - Tel.206.621.1055

In collaboration with Seattle's Tributary Books, Garde Rail Gallery is proud to produce a book that introduces Gregory Blackstock's work to a broad audience. Published by Princeton Architectural Press, and with an introduction by Garde Rail Gallery's Karen Light-Pina, forward by Dr. Darold Treffert, an expert in the field of autism, Blackstock Collections is completed with writings by Gregory, and one hundred or so images of his work.

Gregory L. Blackstock is an autistic savant who creates visual lists. Each drawing presents a category whose boundaries reveal the genius of life's variety. Once he decides upon a topic-be it airplanes, ants, or Airedale terriers-Greg does meticulous research at the library for details. The resulting freehand drawings offer a unique look inside the mind of an autistic man making sense of life through art.

Drawing is not Blackstock's only talent. He is an accordionist with a repertoire of hundreds of songs and a talented mimic; he is conversant in a dozen languages and is able to recall events with uncanny precision. Although his mother was an artist, Greg has had no formal artistic training. He began making his pictorial lists at age 40, and in 2004, at 58, he had his first gallery exhibition at Garde Rail Gallery.

More on the book: Princeton Architectural Press

Review in Seattle Times:
"Blackstock's drawings are hypnotic and compelling and all his own. This tidy little book is a fitting tribute to an endearing artist." (June, 2006)

Readymade:
"To match his sincere, graphic representations, Blackstock titles each piece quite literally ('Colorful Egg Pattern Favorites to Go For' is one). Since retiring from pot washing, he's able to devote more time to his new calling. The art world should rejoice." (July, 2006)

The Morning News: Read review

Gregory Blackstock