Artist Statement

September 2026​

My process-based abstract paintings are driven by concepts of transformation, rhythm, and time, expressed through gravity-manipulated materials. ​​

My current paintings build gridded structures out of layered, poured paint. These forms emerge from my obsession with using gravity to move liquid paint of different viscosities across the canvas into lines and shapes determined by both natural forces and intentional decisions. Paint is guided into flowing, gestural lines and rectangular boxes — turning onto itself, halting at edges, or stopping abruptly. Working on the floor, I fold the canvas onto itself to transfer paint, wriggling it rhythmically to the music I'm listening to. Continuing a process from earlier work, I pour paint onto different substrates and press them onto the canvas, creating textures and organic edges. Each painting records the duration of the process and the shifting state of its materials, with multiple paintings often existing within a single canvas. My painted surfaces accumulate history, becoming a visual record of decision, change, and time.

In my recent Rhythm & Time series, I researched classic jazz structures and began each painting by mapping rhythms heard in bebop compositions, turning the canvas in response. Listening to these compositions over and over, I worked to bring the rhythms and timing I experienced into each painting, along with its own individual history. Once completed, the paintings in the series were titled after classic jazz compositions, honoring the composers and musicians.

Rooted in the traditions of Abstract Expressionism and Process Abstraction, I am seeking a rhythmic energy in my paintings that expresses a journey of transformation through materials and the capturing of time.

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Biography

Cheryl Rubin is an artist living and working in New York City with a studio in NoMad. Her gravity-poured, process-driven paintings build gridded, textured surfaces through chance and control, capturing rhythm, transformation, and time.

Born in Philadelphia, she grew up in a house with Museum of Modern Art exhibition catalogues from the 1950's and 60's, as well as a floor to ceiling wall mural of the 1928 Stuart Davis painting, "Place Pasdeloup", meticulously copied by her father and brother from a postcard, inspiring her lifelong passion to be an artist. After studying painting, drawing and sculpture at both Kansas City Art Institute and Philadelphia's University of the Arts, Rubin graduated with a BFA in Sculpture. Moving to New York City in 1979 she continued to create both 2D and 3D art while raising a daughter with her husband, musician and author Dave Rubin, and working as Senior Vice President, Brand Management for Batman and Superman at Warner Discovery’s DC Entertainment.  For the past 7 years, Cheryl has devoted herself to building her art practice and has a studio in the NoMad district of New York City.  Her work has been placed in private collections throughout the United States and Europe.​​

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Selected Exhibitions​

Solo Show: 28 West 27th St., NYC September 10 - December 31, 2026

Solo Show: The Jazz Gallery, NYC, May 6, 2026-September 9, 2026

Solo Show: 230 Fifth Ave., NYC November 2025 - October 2026

Solo Show: Open Studio: February 2025

Loy Luo Space, Tribeca, NYC., BLUE Group Show, September 17-26, 2024

Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Philadelphia, Pa., Converge Benefit Exhibition, Juried Group Show (June 11- August 3, 2024)

Solo Show: Open Studio: October 2022

The Marciano Law Firm, Hoboken, NJ, Solo Show (May 1, 2023 - June 15, 2023)

DeFrate & Paavola, Solo Show, Ed Sullivan Office Theatre Building, NYC (February 5, 2020 – May 2022)

Primavera, One Brooklyn Bridge Park Juried Group Show (April 1 – June 18, 2021)

First Street Gallery, 9 for 19 Juried Group Show, Chelsea, NY (January 2021)

ArtspeakCollective.org Group Show, “Art in the Aftermath” online exhibition (December 2020) 

Art Students League of NY, Merit Winners Exhibition (September 2020 – October 2020)

Goddard Riverside Community Center Group Show, NYC (March 2020)

Manhattan Borough President’s Office Juried Group Show (July- September 2018)

Phyllis Harriman Mason Gallery Group Shows, 57th St., NYC (2018/2019/2020)

Spring Studio, NYC, Solo Show – Recent Drawings & Collages (March 2015)

Spring Studio, NYC, Group Shows (2010-2015)

Philadelphia Bicentennial Art Exhibition Juried Group Show (1976)

Global Art Students Exposition Juried Group Show (representing USA), Glasgow, Scotland (1974)

 

Selected Awards

Phyllis Harriman Gallery 57th St., NYC Honorable Mention (2020)

Art Students League Peter Helk Award (2019)

 

Education

Kansas City Art Institute/Philadelphia College of Art BFA (1977)

The Art Students League (2015-2020)

Studied with Rafael Ferrer, Ronnie Landfield, Francine Tint

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Professional Career

President, Cheryl Rubin Group/Powerhouse Branding (2011-2019)

Senior Vice President, Brand Management, Warner Discovery/DC Entertainment (1987-2010)

Marketing Manager, Annual Events, Macy’s New York (1981-1986)

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