Artist Don Hershman Premieres “The Art of Code Switching” Exhibition at Salomon Arts Gallery in New York City

Fresh off the heels of his last sold-out show in New York, 'Donald and Victor:  Under the Influence,' visionary artist Don Hershman turned his passion once again into purpose with his newest exhibition of 20 paintings entitled "The Art of Code Switching," which debuted at the Salomon Arts Gallery in Manhattan's Tribeca district.

The show is a brilliant symphony of single and double imagery enmeshing color and shadows – used as a metaphor for the increasing need for social navigation.  People of color, women and the LGBTQ community are once again faced with Code Switching, a social tool altering language and behavior and becoming increasingly compulsory within today's shifting political climate.  "Like many artists, my paintings are an expression of my personal and political surroundings.  It's 2023.  This is what's happening." Sparkling Wine served at the reception was supplied courtesy of Single Married Divorced founded by Irina Patar.

Notable Attendees included: Don Hershman, Jorge Alzate, Rodrigo Salomon, Gigi Salomon, Ford Crull, Elton Ilirjani, Julia Ilirjani, Carmen D'Alessio, Tina Radziwill, Ava Breeze, Leesa Rowland, Brigitte Segura, Pedro Oberto, Nabys Vielman, Marc Bouwer, Heidi Schaeffer, Neil Koenigsberg, Daniel Montelongo, Ashley Kor.

Originally trained as a board-certified podiatric surgeon in the early 80's, Hershman reflects on his own life as a gay man of an earlier generation where code switching was clearly linked to his survival.  "When I began my formal residency training in the early 80's I had to relocate to the south, forcing me back into the closet.  Creating these new paintings took me on a journey back to a time where there was no political correctness or recourse, easily fired or shunned if it were revealed that I was gay.  After residency, I relocated to San Francisco and worked as a podiatric surgeon in an atmosphere engulfed by the AIDS epidemic, where young men often were not only hiding their sexual orientation, but their HIV status as well.  They were constantly code-switching without even knowing it."

Now with The Art of Code Switching his passion to speak on the subject matter is beautifully projected in this new collection.  With bravado he takes the viewer on a journey to open their minds to comprehend patience and understanding amongst all mankind.

Follow this link to watch a short video on Code Switching by Don Hershman: https://bit.ly/446Cshb

In recent years Hershman's career has been catapulted to soaring heights and has captured the minds and imaginations of audiences from coast to coast.    His prolific paintings have exhibited around America and artwork has sold in shows from Manhattan to Art Basel Miami to Provincetown, MA during the peak of summer.   His work has also received awards including the 2020 Jury Selection at the de Young Museum in San Francisco as well as the just announced 2023 Jury selection.  Additionally, his work has received top recognition in the 2022 MVVO ART/AD art show, which saw his work displayed in the iconic Oculus building in Manhattan. Hershman's work is also currently being featured at the ARTACOM Southampton show this summer.

The show will run until Sunday, October 15^th, 2023 and will proudly donate 10% from the proceeds of art sales to The Trevor Project to support the nonprofits suicide prevention efforts among the LGBTQ+ community.

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