We are so proud to announce that Really Big Faces by Tom Mosser will take place on June 18th at the Energy Innovation Center in downtown Pittsburgh in the historic Hill district.
Located at 1435 Bedford Ave., it's an absolute dream space for a project that will be 2 1/2 years in the creation by the opening night.
The Center's location and spectacular views of downtown are perfect for what Tom intends to be a celebration of Pittsburgher's and Pittsburgh itself...AND our rise from a challenging two years.
It will also be a celebration and a bit of a coming-out party for this remarkable building and its mission.
The portraits will line the beautiful hallway leading up to the jaw dropping "Convestro Brightspace" at the Center.
Here is an article by Joanne Harrop that ran on Trib Live.
“Really Big Faces” has a really big space.
The 70 larger-than-life portraits created by Pittsburgh artist Tom Mosser will be showcased on June 18 at Energy Innovation Center in the Hill District.
A hallway and adjacent room with 40-foot ceilings encompassing more than 15,000 square feet will be filled with faces of Pittsburghers.
“The building was a revelation to me,” said Mosser, of Tom Mosser Design. “It’s an absolute dream space. The location has spectacular views of Downtown. It’s perfect for what I want to be a celebration of Pittsburghers and Pittsburgh itself … and our rise from a challenging two years.”
Mosser began the project in 2019. He took photographs of friends and began painting their faces on 5’ 8” x 4’ 8” pieces of canvas.
Each look is created from a hand-sketched drawing. Subjects have what he calls “the Mona Lisa” smile.
Originally scheduled for March 2020, it was postponed because of the pandemic.
“Really Big Faces” will be the first guest exhibit.
An in-house art show was held in October. Another one is planned for May of steel foundry patterns – just in time to welcome the Association for Iron & Steel Technology conference being held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown.
“Tom’s art is incredible,” said Cory Bonnet, director of arts corridor for Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation, an organization that works with start-ups, private ventures, and community-based initiatives that connect economic development to underserved neighborhoods, located in the Energy Innovation Center. “Seeing all of these friendly faces will be a positive experience. I see them as faces unmasked.”
Subjects include Mosser’s fiancée Mara Lorusso, a physical therapist assistant and now a rehab liaison; former Mayor Bill Peduto (with his beard); concert promoter Rich Engler and wife Cindy; “Pittsburgh Dad” Curt Wooten and his baby; Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild founder William Strickland Jr.; dancer and choreographer Maria Caruso; and Pennsylvania second lady Gisele Barreto Fetterman (wife of Lt. Gov. John Fetterman).
“Tom is so talented,” Barreto Fetterman said. “His paintings are so accurate. It looks just like the photo he took of me. It’s incredible.”
Mosser chose people of various ages, nationalities and walks of life. There are broadcasters, a filmmaker, a tennis coach, dentists, a singer, dancer, cancer survivors, a Ukraine native, individuals with disabilities, single parents, and health care workers. His beloved golden retriever Lucas will be memorialized in the show.
Mosser discovered the venue when David Motley, a Pittsburgh businessman and Gateways Corporation board member and one of the subjects, suggested it.
Mosser, who lives in Pittsburgh’s East End and has a studio in Etna, uses a circular “loop” technique and a flow technique with bold colors of acrylic and house paint. He utilizes wood portions of brushes and incorporates funnels.
“I hover over the canvas as the paint spills from a rod or a funnel,” he said. “This is a long meditative process as I must allow the paintings to dry overnight.”
Mosser describes his work as “the drawing style of Bernie Fuchs, the drip painting method of Jackson Pollock and the color palette and design elements of Pittsburgh icon Andy Warhol.”
Mosser includes symbolisms related to the subjects such as the patterns of Marine Corps camouflage uniforms and the design of a Ukrainian flag.
He has done more than 1,600 self-portraits. People may also recognize his work from various national sports arenas and events.
“When I take a photo very often you can see me in the reflection of their eyes, which I love,” Mosser said. “We are all visualizing a brighter future. I want each and every portrait to convey that. Every person has a story to be celebrated.”
None of the work will be for sale.
“It is so important to collaborate,” said Bonnet, an oil painter and preservationist. “When you collaborate with others it makes what you are doing even bigger.”
Yes, really big.
The event is free. Hours will be from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The faces will be displayed in the center for three weeks.
