About the Artist

Gerald Domingue is an American; a seventh generation Louisianan of Spanish-Isleño – French-Acadian ancestry. His ancient maternal roots include Verena Hirzel as his 8th great-grandmother of the prominent Hirzel family of Zurich, dating back to the 1400s. He developed an interest in painting at age nine and nurtured this passion throughout his life. His works have been exhibited in New Orleans, New York City, Paris, Zurich; and also in Ferrara, Italy; Buffalo, New York; Vals and St. Gallen, Switzerland; Craponne (Lyon), France; and are in international private and corporate collections. He was educated in the medical sciences; served for thirty years as professor of basic medical and clinical sciences in Tulane University School of Medicine and Graduate School, New Orleans; retired from academe in 1997 and is professor emeritus at Tulane. Since retirement, he is a fulltime painter (New Orleans, Paris, Zurich). In 2005, he became a resident of Zurich where he presently lives and paints. See the website representing the paintings of Gerald Domingue:  www.dlareg-arts.com

"Though differing vastly in mark, Domingue’s pieces all have a characteristic feeling of a slow growth and gradual manipulation. In his piece, Symbol of Inner Strength, the gracefulness of the steady easing of the bright orange into the black background tames the difference between the two opposites. The two colors at their most saturated moments are quite extreme and it’s remarkable to see such a peaceful transition between the two. The subtle scale changes in the fragmentation are rather slight and very delicate, as well. The differing size, shifting from larger to smaller also gives the piece a sense of perspective and depth. Keeping within a two-color color scheme, the relationship also helps to build a stronger presence of light and perspective. In his piece, Global Warming, the color variations leak in and out of numerous colors instead of just two. The result is a more abstracted form. At first the black area appears as a cut-out obstructing the view of a beautiful, colorful, kaleidoscope. However, in looking more closely the viewer can make out a few ambiguous areas that lie somewhere in between the absolute black and the segregated, opposing vibrancy of the colored area. In both these pieces there is a bleeding haziness that gives the textural feel of a cross between watercolor and an airbrushed feel. This texture along with the unique organic shapes compiling these forms invent some intriguing and delightfully atmospheric abstractions." http://www.nyartsmagazine.com

New Orleans, August 2005. We all remember pictures of the devastating Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed much of the city. Standing in front of the paintings by New Orleans artist Gerald Domingue, one gets a real feeling of the fury with which the storm must have raged through the city. Domingue has long admired Nature in all its power, explosive energy and passion. This is impressively reflected in his pictures: "With all its moods, Nature also exhibits beauty in a vast variety of forms. Again and again it surprises us, such as it did with this terrible storm." Before devoting himself entirely to painting in 1997, Gerald Domingue, now a resident of Zurich, was a medical scientist for 40 years and was a professor of urology, microbiology and immunology. These years also consistently influenced his artistic creativity: "In biological medicine one constantly finds fascinating pictures that offer an incredible potential for my painting. Here, too, I repeatedly find inspiration." Domingue's paintings reflect a sustained dynamism and movement: a flow of energy that seeks harmony through form and colours. The fact that Domingue's paintings survived Katrina intact is bordering on a miracle. "While many of my friends and relatives left the city, I stayed on with my paintings."

Domingue's works are alive – that is what makes them so unique. Each painting tells a story that primarily alludes to the link between science and painting and highlights Domingue's background as an intellectual artist and poet. His works attest to his talent, artistic skill and a powerful imagination. Most of his abstract works are in oil on masonite.

Now, Gerald Domingue and Swiss entrepreneur Ignaz Furger have opened a very special kind of gallery. "Gerald and I had already held several joint exhibitions: the first in Vals, where I converted my father's workshop to a gallery, then in Zurich, St. Gallen, New York, Paris, Lyon, Ferrara, Italy and New Orleans," explains Furger. Following his search last spring for an office in Zurich for his strategic consulting business, it quickly became clear that this should take the form of a joint project with Domingue. The result was the "New Orleans am Pfauen" gallery, combined with an office, right next to the Kunsthaus. New Orleans stands firstly for Domingue's place of origin. Secondly, it also stands for the versatility, contrasts and internationality of the metropolis in the US state of Louisiana. "New Orleans has been called the soul of America: a city with an international cultural identity, and a melting pot of talents from all over the world," explains Domingue. In future the gallery plans not only to exhibit Domingue's works but also to hold vernissages of different artists' works every two to three months. "Always associated in some way with New Orleans," explain Furger and Domingue. It may be artists from the southern US states or paintings with a link to New Orleans. Both are also keen on the idea of a "New Orleans meets Zurich" theme, which they could well imagine as a way of promoting even young Swiss artists. The aim is not to attract as much passing trade as possible. This would be difficult because the gallery is well hidden, tucked away in an office block. Apart from the vernissages, the exhibition can only be visited by appointment. "Initially we are deliberately targeting people from our circle of friends and acquaintances who are interested in art," explains Furger. However, in time an increasingly large public will be introduced to art from New Orleans. "With the gallery I want not least to express my admiration for Switzerland, its people and its wonderful natural landscapes, which are a source of daily inspiration for me," says Domingue. However, for strategy consultant Furger there is another key aspect. "I want to work in an inspirational, stimulating environment and create a symbiotic link between strategy and art."

Anyone who wants to gain their own impressions is cordially invited: "Born of Imagination", works by Gerald Domingue, “Galerie New Orleans am Pfauen” Hottingerstasse 21, 8032 Zürich, Opening receptions: Saturday 20 November 2010, 18:00 to 22:00 and Sunday 21 November 2010, 15:00 to 19:00