Rollin Kocsis - Fine Artist
Rollin Kocsis is currently the assistant curator of art at Gallery Fity Six in Memphis, Tennessee
He was born in South Bend, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in art education. Right after graduation from college, he moved to Memphis and worked a few odd jobs. After a short while, Rollin was hired to teach visual arts for the Memphis City Schools. Over 37 years, he taught general and advanced art, photography, printmaking, pottery, fibers, and yearbook production. In the meantime, he attended the University of Memphis (then Memphis State) and earned two masters - one in art education and one in painting.
Rollin has always loved making and looking at art. His favorite classes in school were the art classes, and he was always creating art in one form or another. Rollin Kocsis always wanted to be an 'artist'. He really got serious when he decided to earn a Master of Fine Arts in painting. Since 1991, he has put all of his energy into his art career. Now that he is retired from teaching, Rollin can devote his time to what he loves best. Currently Rollin Kocsis is represented by three galleries - The Sara Howell Gallery in Jonesboro, Arkansas; The Maison Rouge Gallery in Chicago, Illinois; and Gallery Fifty Six in Memphis, TN.
Rollin's goal as a professional full-time artist is to create excellent paintings that will bring people pleasure, make them think, and to help beautify their environment. To Rollin, it's a great feeling when someone purchases his work because it proves to him that he has accomplished his goal.
Artist Statement
The paintings I create are a process of exploration. I believe like Canadian painter Lawren Harris who says that 'paintings come out of themselves'. This is how I approach my art. Usually I do not paint with a pre-conceived idea.
There are no messages or hidden agendas in my work, other than to reveal the discoveries made during my investigations. Perhaps I do take cues from familiar surroundings, my personal relationships, and my live experiences
There is, of course, the seed of an idea or a bit of a plan when I begin, but I am quickly directed by the work, answering the needs, sorting the puzzles and discovering solutions. I work with layers of thick and thin color, and I use tape or contact paper to block out or save areas of color and texture.
I love color and colors working together. Many times I will select a particular color scheme and go from there.
Currently I am working in non-figurative abstract art where the viewer needs to lay aside all preconceived ideas of what a painting should be. Hopefully when someone views my work, they will simply let themselves be stirred by the movement of ideas in their unconscious mind.
