Ralph Goings

Ralph Goings was a prominent American artist known for his contributions to the Hyperrealism movement, alongside other notable artists such as Richard Estes, Audrey Flack, and Chuck Close. His work often featured everyday scenes and objects, like those found in Diners, Gas Stations, and Restaurants, which were meticulously rendered to create a sense of realism. Goings' artistic career spanned over five decades, during which he was associated with the Photorealism movement, a style that emerged in the late 1960s and was characterized by its use of Photography as a reference point. He was also influenced by the works of Edward Hopper, Grant Wood, and Thomas Hart Benton.

● Early Life and Education

Ralph Goings was born in Corning, California, and grew up in a family that encouraged his artistic pursuits. He attended the California College of the Arts in Oakland, California, where he studied Painting and Sculpture under the guidance of instructors such as Gordon Cook, Jack Moxom, and Raymond Brose. During his time at the college, Goings was exposed to the works of various artists, including Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and René Magritte, which had a significant impact on his artistic development. He also drew inspiration from the Bay Area Figurative Movement, which was led by artists such as David Park, Elmer Bischoff, and Richard Diebenkorn.

● Career

Goings' career as an artist began in the 1950s, during which he worked as a Commercial Illustrator and Graphic Designer for various clients, including The Sacramento Bee and The San Francisco Chronicle. He also taught Art at the University of California, Davis, where he was a colleague of artists such as Wayne Thiebaud, Robert Arneson, and Roy De Forest. In the 1960s, Goings became associated with the Photorealism movement, which was characterized by its use of Photography as a reference point. He was part of a group of artists that included Don Eddy, Tom Blackwell, and John Salt, who were known for their highly realistic depictions of everyday scenes and objects.

● Artistic Style

Goings' artistic style was characterized by his use of Oil Paint and Acrylic Paint to create highly realistic depictions of everyday scenes and objects. He was particularly interested in capturing the play of Light on Metal and Glass surfaces, which gave his paintings a sense of depth and luminosity. Goings' work was also influenced by the Pop Art movement, which was led by artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Jasper Johns. He was fascinated by the Consumer Culture of the 1960s and 1970s, and his paintings often featured images of Cars, Trucks, and Diners, which were iconic symbols of American Culture.

● Notable Works

Some of Goings' most notable works include his paintings of Diners, such as "Diner" (1971), which featured a highly realistic depiction of a Diner at night. He also painted a series of works featuring Cars, including "Blue Chevy" (1972), which showcased his ability to capture the play of Light on Metal surfaces. Goings' work was exhibited at various galleries and museums, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. His paintings are also part of the permanent collections of institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Tate Modern.

● Legacy

Ralph Goings' legacy as an artist is significant, and his contributions to the Hyperrealism movement have had a lasting impact on the development of Contemporary Art. His work has influenced a generation of artists, including Richard Prince, Cindy Sherman, and David Salle, who have all explored the use of Photography and Realism in their work. Goings' paintings continue to be exhibited and collected by museums and galleries around the world, including the Guggenheim Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Walker Art Center. His work is also featured in the collections of prominent art collectors, such as Eli Broad, Ronald Perelman, and Steven Cohen. Category:American artists