Provocations (with Robert Kuszek)

Painter Robert Kuszek Responds to Author Thomas Farber

Excerpt, from the Introduction,
by Thomas Farber:

"In October, 1998, I was back in New York to do a reading at Rosenberg + Kaufman Fine Art. One of the pleasures of spending time at the gallery is meeting painters and collectors as they wash through. These encounters are mediated by Stephen and Fran, shaped by their sensibilities and affections--the people they savor, respect, their own strenuous quests, commitments.

One of the artists they represent came in to drop off a new canvas. Stephen and Fran were finishing up something else. I was amused: The artist's silent patience conveyed an enormous--loud--self possession; as though he had much to contain but could do it. When he finally unwrapped the painting I was...dazzled by his sky, sea, use of the man-made. I've long pursued my own water narratives, have strong convictions about what's authentic in them. This man's painting-- brooding, private, searching,--disturbed, rang more than true. And, I already believed, was very much him."