Giles Liddell’s unique vision on exhibit at MCE

Stunning graphic art that is literally out of this world is the next exhibit for the gallery at Maricopa Center for Entrepreneurship.

The gallery will feature more than 10 of Liddell’s creations and will open Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. with a free artist’s reception including Arizona wine and appetizers.

“These are one-of-a-kind images that will never be recreated,” Liddell said.

He describes his work as “abstract, science fiction, planetary, and I do some photography, too.”

At his exhibits, he likes to give visitors a tablet and have them write down what they see in his abstract art, drawing from their own experiences. “They always find something I never knew was there,” he said.

He calls his art “people-friendly.” It is also playful. The door prizes at the opening are ancient archways superimposed on an image of a Roman god – making the arch a door and thus a real door prize.

“I get more enjoyment out of other people enjoying my work,” Liddell said. “It’s like being a comedian that makes people laugh. When they see my art, it brings forth happiness.”

“Giles is a unique and non-traditional artist who uses his computer as his medium and then prints directly to canvas. His style is at the intersection of Peter Max, Romero Britto, and Milton Glaser — bright, bold, and psychedelic,” said Dan Beach, executive director of MCE. “Black artists seem to be underrepresented in American art, and it is rare to find a computer artist being displayed in a gallery. We are excited to share Giles Liddell kaleidoscopic art with our friends in Maricopa.”

Liddell has loved to draw since he was a young boy growing up in the 1950s.

“I loved to listen to Space Ranger, and in school I would draw spaceships and airplanes,” he said.

He won his first artist award in 1962 at the Lake Meadows Art Fair. He continued to gather awards for his work and in 1979 was honored with the Golden Pallet Award at by the Dusable Museum in Chicago.

Liddell said the fact that he is partially colorblind lends a unique aspect to his art. “As a result I do not see the world as most people do,” he said.