Oyster Point Gallery Introduces the Art of JP Nicolaides

When JP Nicolaides retired in 2020, he knew exactly what he wanted to do: make art. A close friend suggested that he explore printmaking and after watching several instructional videos JP tried his hand at creating monoprints. He loved the process. Monoprints are considered print paintings and each one is an original and singular work of art.

JP hand-cuts his own shapes in the process of building layers and reuses certain shapes. It’s this repetition of shapes, textures and colors throughout his body of work that provides its unique look. For texture, he uses various found items to give new life to items that would otherwise be discarded. His colors are sometimes muted, sometimes vibrant, and he says, “Contrasting colors, values and shapes are important to me.”

The Oyster Point Gallery is pleased to introduce JP Nicolaides and his monoprints in his first solo exhibit “JP Nicolaides: New Monoprints.” Kevin Barry, the Oyster Point VP, said, “We love that we can introduce local emerging artists along with established artists to our guests and the community. It’s another way we can strengthen and support New Jersey artists in the Oyster Point Hotel.”

Ellen Martin, the Oyster Point Curator, added, “I was introduced to JP’s work through a member of my installation team, Nancy Keyes, and immediately I knew I wanted to show his work in the Hotel. I’ve been working with him closely for a few months now to bring the exhibition to fruition.”

JP was born in Astoria, Queens in 1964 and moved to Red Bank, NJ in 1988 where he lives with his husband Ed Zipprich. As with many artists, the act of creation has had a profound effect on JP’s life. “It has proven to be something of a salvation to me during the darkest days of the pandemic. I witnessed this outlet for creative energy giving me joy and peace—no mean feat as the Covid losses, very near and far, continued to viciously mount. Thirty years in a corporate career helped me and my family enjoy many wonderful things. We know how lucky we are. This exploration of creativity and expression of imagination makes me feel even luckier,” says JP.

JP numbers most of his pieces but does occasionally give them interesting titles, such as keeping an eye on things, all about my mother, the title of a Pedro Almodóvar movie, and godzilla and faux kanji. You can learn more about these intriguing titles when you meet JP at our opening.

• The exhibit is free and open to the public. It will open on Friday, July 16th, 2021, with a cocktail reception from 6 - 8 p.m., and run through September 6th. The Oyster Point Gallery is located at 146 Bodman Place, Red Bank, NJ, USA. There is free parking in our lot and valet service is available.