Samuel Lynne Galleries will present artist Bernie Taupin’s exhibition Anarchaeology (an-ahr-kee-ol-uh-jee). Largely recognized for his longtime songwriting partnership with Elton John, Taupin continues to delight and surprise even those who think they know him best. In addition to lyricist, musician, producer, author and award winner, Taupin is also a serious visual artist. He describes this creative avenue as, “simply the visual extension of what I have spent my life creating through words.”

Anarchaeology (an-ahr-kee-ol-uh-jee) comments on the ability of governments to cause chaos, create and perpetuate poverty and misery and ultimately destroy civilizations. With titles like Agitate, Disambiguation, Lear In Madness,and Explore Noise, the paintings in this exhibition ignite intense emotion in viewers. The severely contrasting light and dark colors, fragmented edges, and torn middles of these paintings reflect the disturbance and pain of their subjects. There is harmony but it is somewhat harrowing. Viewers are able to draw similarities to the powerfully emotional artworks of Anselm Kiefer, Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko, and Clyfford Still – artists whom Taupin has found a particular kinship with.

Taupin will be in attendance at the opening reception, and the exhibition will be on view through October 23.