New York Painter and Collagist
STREET AND MANHATTAN ELITE BRED
An athletic, energetic, creative child with family roots in New York design and theater. Schulman's first collages were of discarded fabric, lace and buttons collected from my grandparents a Bronx Bridal and Tailor Shop.
“I love to paint. To understand anything you must live with it, you must observe it; you must know all its content, its nature, its structure, its movement. One of the most difficult things in the world is to look at things simply. In the end it’s a lifelong process, so you need innocence, humility and courage.”
The Bronx Series
The Bronx Series 2008-2011, some while George was a fellow at the Vermont Studio. Is a heartfelt and bittersweet, masterfully created, mind’s eye view, documenting the life Schulman and its community live. Passionately intended to give a voice to its people and their place in time.
Over a period of neglect, the Bronx became branded as Fort Apache. Burning buildings, gangs, drug dealers, prostitutes, and thugs dominated the accomplishments of those he knew who strove for a better life, largely overlooked, by the many cases of abuse which occurred. Experiencing a healing by the meld of the creativity and culture of African and Latin Americans who now dominated the Bronx, who together gave birth to Graffiti Art, Hip Hop, and Break Dancing. What was once a fallen borough, “Desolation Row” a victim of isolation and destruction is once again a resurrected phoenix, souring from the ashes.
This Series includes 3 Large Paintings in acrylic on canvas and 30+ Collages, painted with Acrylics, some with 24kt gold leaf, on coffee bags, including diptychs and triptychs on a base of handmade wood panels by Schulman, a professional canvas stretcher.
The Jewish Series
First created for the American Guild of Judaic Art the Jewish Series was created to honor his Grandparents, and Great Grandfather a Cantor and Poet, family and Jewish roots. Paintings and Collages include handmade paper and digital printed paper, zigs, zags and dashes made out of multi-colored sewing thread, with dotted with buttons and pins. Newly single after 40+ years, some Collages include hand made lace made from discarded fast food napkins, paper bags and plates, other materials include aluminum foil envelopes, melted wax crayons, magic markers, powdered pigments, ball point pens and graphite pencil, held together by different binders, until one is indistinguishable from the other. Textural, layered, familiar, yet unsettling, complicated and tense, this series reflects transition , isolation, survival, hope, strength, love and rebirth.
In my ArtSpace Patchogue Loft getting ready for a studio visit by Janet Lehr Gallery Easthampton, NY
Knox Martin
Washington Heights Studio
Not thinking not to include his lifelong friend, teacher and mentor in his Documentary, Schulman brought the installation he painted live while friend and filmmaker Peter Mazzeo. Taking apart this large installation meant dismantling heavy hand made stretchers Schulman had bolted together. Accompanied by film maker and popular Huntington Long Island based musician, Peter Mazzeo and Debra Rothberg, artist, bthebuzz brand marketer and partner made an exodus to Washington Heights to film Knox Martin at his finest. On that very magical day, surrounded by art, artifacts and a parrot in a large white wrought iron cage with bright mid-day light streaming through large windows, found in west side apartments, the Master held court.
Lois Dodd
The year was 1978, Lois was a great teacher and friend who made regular studio visits to the Bronx to help me achieve my MFA at Brooklyn College.
Jamie Canvas store in Soho, 1976
an emporium of art supplies and curios that catered to the neighborhood's creative class. Basquiat, a frequent customer for photocopies, paintsticks and acrylics.