Art Invades Music's Biggest Day!

Art and Music have long been entwined. This is music’s biggest week! With the Grammy Awards taking place on February 10th, the pre-Grammy celebrations, benefits and galas have begun. This year, rock icon Bruce Springsteen has been selected to be MusiCares’ Person of the Year.

The ‘sold out’ MusiCares gala will take place on Friday, February 8th at the downtown Los Angeles Convention Center. The evening will honor Bruce Springsteen with live performances by his legendary friends and Grammy award winning talent.

This star-studded event will be hosted by Jon Stewart and will include performances
by legends such as Alabama Shakes, Jackson Browne, Kenny Chesney, Ben Harper,
Emmylou Harris, Faith Hill, Jim James, Elton John, Juanes, John Legend, Natalie
Maines, Tim McGraw, Tom Morello, Mumford & Sons, Patti Smith, Mavis Staples, Sting, Eddie Vedder, Neil Young, and many more.

Artist Zhenya Gershman has created a portrait of the “Boss” himself to be featured at the gala as part of a silent auction. The journey was an interesting one. Zhenya had to decide which “Bruce Sprinsteen” to paint. She surveyed hundreds of images from his long career and watched countless videos.

First, she decided to paint an image on the back of a guitar. Next, she chose to paint a much darker image from 1993, when Streets of Philadelphia won an Academy Award for best original song. Inspiration truly hit when she was watching a VH-1 interview. Springsteen spoke painstakingly of his rough childhood and how his music saved him. She explains, “Finally, I saw the real man behind the pop images. As the clock struck midnight, I ran into my studio and the new painting was born – Bruce performing, mid-action, with his hands up in the air – like a preacher in front of a mesmerized unseen crowd or a man who is surrendering to the power of creativity. I hope that through this image the viewer gets an intimate glimpse into Bruce Springsteen’s soul – the magic of portraiture is getting to know someone without ever meeting them.”

Although Gershman only needed to create one painting, it was evident that a “Bruce
Springsteen series” was coming to life.

Zhenya Gershman’s work is currently on view as part of the exhibition entitled “Women’s Art Now” at Leslie Sacks Fine Art, Brentwood. A blue chip gallery featuring renowned artists from around the world, their current exhibit runs through February 24th and benefits the non-profit organization “Women’s Voices Now.”

Leslie Sacks Fine Art, Brentwood is located at 11640 San Vicente Blvd. L.A., CA
90049. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
www.lesliesacks.com

For more information, about the MusiCares Gala, see www.grammy.org/news/stars-to-pay-tribute-to-musicares-person-of-the-year-bruce-springsteen-0

For images and more information about the artist Zhenya Gershman, see her website. www.zhenyagershman.com