Award winning contemporary artist, Clinton Deckert is renowned for his paintings where abstract thoughts and surreal imagery collide. Deckert was recently featured in "NEW / NOW" exhibition at the New Britain Museum of American Art. He has multiple works represented in the Jack and Susan Austin Warner Collection in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Deckert exhibited as an Official American Delegate of the Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts at Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, Fance. He has twice been awarded an Individual Artist Fellowship Grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council, Connecticut. Deckert is past president of Artworks Gallery in Hartford Connecticut and served on their Board of Directors for fourteen years. Clinton has exhibited at the Senator’s Connecticut Office of the U.S. Senate and at the Steven's Gallery at the University of Connecticut. In New York Deckert has shown in the famous but now defunct Monique Goldstrom Gallery and exhibited in the "Brave Destiny" International Surrealist Exhibition at the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center in Brooklyn. His work has been featured on the cover of Art Calendar/Professional Artist Magazine, INK Publication Magazine and had work twcie appear in the New York Times. He has apperared on television, radio and has conducted numerous lectures throughout Connecticut including Connecticut Art Education Association, The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, New Britain Museum of American Art. He continues to serve as Judge/Juror for regional exhibitions. Deckert‘s work is in numerous collections and he continuously exhibits and promotes the arts throughout the Northeast, USA.
References; Quotes from critics, gallery owners, fine art specialists’ jurors and directors:
New/Now - “…I have enjoyed your paintings for some time… This will be the last exhibition I arrange for the Museum (Before retirement) and I am very happy it will be your time to receive the much-deserved spotlight.” Douglas Hyland, Executive Director, New Britain Museum of Art, 2015
"His paintings are rendered without the hindrance of logic and their appeal comes from the eerie ambience of unique imagery capturing a timeless quality. Deckert seems keenly aware of the absurdities underlying the very concept of life." Jude Schwendenwien, Art New England, 1991
"Deckert’s riotous conjurings are dazzling, ingenious, provocative and injected with a sense of fun." Steve Starger, Journal Inquirer Art New England, 1997
Clinton Deckert was a pure delight during his exhibition at the New Britain Museum of American Art. His work was a fine example of Surrealism, DADA(ism), playfulness and full range of colorful imaging. Deckert was part of our New/Now series which shows artists that are currently working in their fields and bringing a new and exciting artistic focus to our institution. Heather Whitehouse, Associate Curator of Education, New Britain Museum of American Art, 2016
Comment inspired by studio Interview prior to the Twenty Five Year Retrospective exhibition at Paris in Plantsville… “If the gallery installation is anything like Deckert's nearby home, it will resemble a mid-air collision between Joseph Cornell and Salvador Dali. Every corner of his home contains evidence of a torrential talent and an offbeat vision.” Alan Bisbort, Hartford Advocate, 2012
“Deckert' artwork demands your attention by using multiple layers of intense yet harmoniously balanced color in tandem with various techniques that bridge the gap of the imaginary worlds that he portrays in each of his works. His work while in the gallery, pulsated with power as one, but when broken down piece by piece, they each tell a separate and timeless story. Clinton's work lives up to its storied and seemingly legendary continuous following... It's as if the gallery walls have quieted themselves to take a deep breath since the show has come to an end. ” Sean Michanczyk, Director / Owner of Paris In Plantsville, 2015
Clint probably had some set of circumstances, which can best be described as surreal at birth. He IS a modern surrealist with an uncanny ability to paint so realistically, that some of his 'mythical creatures' seem to be marching off the canvas. His work captivates the viewer. I've watched delighted onlookers as they slow down and take time to converse and interpret what they see in his work. His show was by far the most successful we've ever had here in the gallery. His art creates collectors which are die hard FANS!" Michelle L. White, White Space Gallery, New Haven, CT 2008
"Deckert takes it all on - color compatibility, canvas structure, field depth, compositional nesting, classic themes and commentary. Even given day to reflect ... it is doubtful that I would be able to get to the root of the image." Leah Lopez Schmalz, Guilford Courier, 2007
Deckert's work is exactly the sort of serious stuff that reflects the excellence of the arts in our area.” Stephen F. Hard, Executive Director, Greater New Britain Arts Alliance. 2009
