Ripped & Torn

"Art is everywhere. We walk down the streets, we don’t really notice that just off to the side, there are remarkable compositions, constructs, patterns, palettes, all brought together within frames that define them. Some are plain to see, others are tiny fragments that are only noticed when allowing them to present themselves.

I first started seeing abstractions in the chaotic cities around us when I moved to New York City in 1981. The plentiful graffiti was the initial draw, and the colours and swirls felt as though, framed just so, they would become abstracts unto themselves. That became my inspiration amongst the torn posters of the East Village and further beyond—to compose “photo paintings” that one might see hanging in a gallery. And so, here we are.

Since that time, I’ve collected hundreds of found abstracts in each place I’ve lived or visited, searching for hidden meanings in the juxtaposition of overlaid posters that reveal only fragments of each other. This has extended to seeing the beauty in decay, the random and inadvertent sculptures and abstractions of abandonment, demolition and neglect. In these instances, photography can convey emotion and meaning than a painted representation—the fact that it is real becomes its own evocation."

Greg Gutbezahl has always followed a wandering creative path, through drawing and painting, photography and video, graphic design and multimedia. An avid painter and Super 8 short filmmaker through his teen years, Greg graduated with a BA from NYU’s film program in 1985, working in the film industry for a few years before a union strike sidelined him. Always photographing, Greg found urban abstractions all around him, and had a fully equipped darkroom available at a commercial photo lab he was working at. While working primarily as a graphic designer and art/creative director at several design firms, he was also photographing all manner of subjects, directing music videos, and continuing to paint. Upon meeting and marrying his partner Elaine, they moved from NYC to London, and then followed her job around—to Zürich, New Jersey, San Francisco, and then Fort Worth, Texas before moving to Glasgow, for Greg each time an opportunity to expand and explore his career and interests, and adding new friends. 

When living in Fort Worth, Greg was named “Critic’s Choice Photographer of the Year” by Fort Worth Weekly in 2022. During his time in the San Francisco Bay Area, Greg was a part of the Blackhawk Gallery arts collective, helping to put on and participating in shows every six weeks—and curated a group music photography show to acclaim in Los Angeles. His photography and painting have appeared in many gallery shows over the past decade, including here in Glasgow. 

Greg resides with Elaine and their wee pup B in Glasgow.