Philip Gerstein’s art speaks in the language of freedom and constant discovery, and
revels in the beauty and evanescence of color. His paintings dip deeply into the
ceaseless flow of life — that subtle or at times potent motion — ever present, evolving,
and alive. Whether on canvas or through his published essays, Gerstein invites viewers
and readers on a journey, setting up and overcoming the constraints and limitations of
the visual genre and compositional design. With exhibitions spanning New York City,
Provincetown, Boston, and beyond, his voice has become a resonant and respected
presence in contemporary painting.
Early Life and Academic Foundations
Born and raised in Moscow, USSR, Philip Gerstein’s journey into the arts began with a
foundation deeply rooted in intellectual and cultural exploration. His early academic
pursuits brought him to Harvard University, where he embarked on a PhD in Art
History. This rigorous engagement with the history and theory of art provided him with
a framework to both understand and challenge artistic traditions.
Yet, Gerstein’s curiosity reached beyond scholarship into practice. His journey as a
professional painter began at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where he
honed his technical skills and commenced to evolve his personal visual language. Later,
his artistic training transcended another cultural boundary, as he studied Japanese
calligraphy under Toshu Ogawa. The influence of this discipline, marked by spontaneity,
rhythm, and a meditative approach to line and form, would leave a lasting impression
on his work.
Exhibitions and Representation
Over the years, Gerstein has built an extensive exhibition history with major solo and
two-person shows in Chelsea, New York City, in Provincetown, Massachusetts, and
throughout the Boston area, where he set up his studio. His exhibitions are not only
opportunities to display his own paintings, but often serve as platforms for
collaboration, as Gerstein has also taken on roles as curator and organizer of painting
and photography shows.
His work has been consistently recognized by critics, reviewers, and collectors. Reviews
and reproductions of his art have appeared in numerous publications, reinforcing his
reputation as a painter whose work resonates with both emotional immediacy and
lasting impact. Today, he is represented by LICHTUNDFIRE in New York City and by
Array Contemporary in Boston, known for showcasing cutting-edge contemporary
artists.
Writing and Thought Leadership
In addition to his painting, Gerstein is also an accomplished essayist. His reflections on
art and culture are featured in Scene4 – International Magazine of Arts and Culture,
under the series The Art of Philip Gerstein. These online essays attract thousands of
readers, expanding his influence beyond the gallery walls into the broader cultural
conversation. Through his writing, Gerstein bridges the gap between practice and
theory, offering insights into his creative process while situating his work within wider
artistic lineages and cultural milieu.
Artistic Philosophy: The Language of Freedom
Utilizing several distinct modes of color abstraction is a hallmark of Gerstein’s
professional practice. Switching between these modes underlines one of the central
themes of his work — that of transcending the constraints of a single style to remain
fresh and uniquely relevant. Each painting unfolds according to its own color and
compositional schema, inviting viewers into a space of exciting discovery together with
the artist.
An example of one of his paintings is reproduced above: “Ukiyo”, which means “the Floating World” in Japanese. Gerstein achieves that effect through a careful orchestration of
color, movement, and texture. His concept of “Color Perspective” is key to his practice.
Going beyond the traditional perspective that organizes space through tonal depth and
linear perspective, his color perspective generates space and rhythm through chromatic
relationships.
Texture and the impression of movement further undergird this dynamism. The
surfaces of his canvases are rich with unexpected materials, such as glass beads,
sparkling bursts of energy that shift as the eye travels across them. This interplay
ensures that no painting remains a closed statement; instead, each work is open, fresh,
and evolving in the eye of the viewer. The thoughtful and lyrical titles of each painting
further extend that process.
In the larger sense, Gerstein’s process mirrors the vibratory condition of life — this
organized, disrupted, and reorganized pulsing of all energetic matter and space itself.
Presence in Collections
The reach of Gerstein’s art extends across private collections in the United States and
Europe. His collectors value not only the visual vitality of his paintings but also the
intellectual richness they embody. Each acquisition goes beyond the traditional choice
of illustration or decoration; it is an invitation into the experience of freedom and
renewal, making his works both distinct and enduringly relevant in contemporary art.
Conclusion
Through his paintings, essays, and curatorial projects, Philip Gerstein contributes not
only to the visual arts but also to the cultural discourse that shapes them. Thus,
Gerstein stands at the intersection of the intellectual tradition of freedom and its full
exploration by means of the finely honed creative energy. From his beginnings in
Moscow, to advanced academic pursuits and extensive artistic training, his journey has
been one of synthesis and transformation. Today, his work continues to evolve, while
continuing to explore the vibrancy of Color as a universal language, as potent, rich, and
inexhaustible as Life itself.
