Lecture on ‘Painter’s paradise’ in India

The Island Now

Artist Neill Slaughter comes to the Art League of Long Island on Saturday April 18 at 2 p.m. to discuss his experiences during his Fulbright Fellowship to India in 1992. 

In what Slaughter terms “an intense, life-changing experience” he will share his observations of the people of India, their culture, landscape and architecture and show samples of paintings and drawings from his “Images of India” series.  “Although traveling in India or Africa is both physically and mentally demanding, India is the most visually stimulating place I have ever visited. It is a “painter’s paradise,” Slaughter said. “To explore India is to discover one’s relationship with not only the natural, physically challenging environment, but also an amazingly diverse and vastly different culture that is so exotic compared to middle-class America.”

Slaughter graduated with a B.F.A. degree in 1975 from the University of Georgia and received his M.F.A. in 1978 from Indiana University in Bloomington. From 1978 to the present Professor Slaughter has been teaching fine arts courses at the university level as well as exhibiting his drawings and paintings nationally and internationally. 

He began his teaching career in Philadelphia at Tyler School of Art, Temple University, before moving to St. Cloud University in Minnesota, where upon he was sent to inaugurate their study abroad program at Alnwick Castle in 1981-82 in Northumberland, England. 

Upon his return to the United States, he relocated to California in 1983 to teach for California State University and in 1987 moved to Loyola Marymount University, where he again was sent abroad to teach at the University of Kent in Canterbury England in 1989.

In 1993, Slaughter moved to Southampton to begin teaching for Long Island University. Slaughter, a tenured full professor, resides in Southampton  and New York City.

During his 36 years of teaching, Slaughter has spent a considerable amount of time traveling throughout the world to teach, conduct research and create art. His extensive travels have influenced what he paints, which often reflect the social conditions of his surroundings. 

Among the awards and honors Slaughter has received are a Ford Foundation Fellowship (1977-78), a Scottish Arts Council Grant (1980), an LMU Research Grant to Africa (1988) and a Fulbright Fellowship to India (1992).

Slaughter has had 30 solo exhibits of his drawings and paintings since 1978 and participated in more than 75 national and international group exhibitions. His art has been reviewed by leading newspapers as well as magazines, and his work is in public and private collections throughout the world.

Admission fee is $10 for Art League members and $15 for non-members.  Space is limited, register early to ensure a spot. To register call (631) 462-5400, ext. 222 or visit www.artleagueli.org.  The Art League of Long Island is located at 107 East Deer Park Road in Dix Hills.

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