STAN STREMBICKI

Art History Revisited

Opening Reception: September 13, 2025

Bruno David is pleased to present Art History Revisited, an exhibition of photographs by Stan Strembicki. This is the artist’s first solo exhibition with the gallery. In conjunction with the exhibition, Bruno David Gallery will publish a catalogue of the artist’s work with an in-depth exhibition history and bibliography.

Since his early days as an undergraduate art student, Stan Strembicki has been enveloped in the history of art. This initially started through Janson’s History of Art while in darkened rooms, looking at projected slides. Later, while teaching in Italy, as part of the Washington University program in Florence, he was able to experience these great works in person. Most recently, Strembicki made a pilgrimage to the Louvre, as no trip to Paris would be complete without it. He remarked after his visit that it was like a walking tour through Janson’s History.his early days as an undergraduate art student, Stan Strembicki has been enveloped in the history of art. This initially started through Janson’s History of Art while in darkened rooms, looking at projected slides. Later, while teaching in Italy, as part of the Washington University program in Florence, he was able to experience these great works in person. Most recently, Strembicki made a pilgrimage to the Louvre, as no trip to Paris would be complete without it. He remarked after his visit that it was like a walking tour through Janson’s History.

All curation of art history is skewed, as the curator or historian inherently creates a filtered reading of what is presented as the “important” works worth hanging on the walls or committing to memory in class. Strembicki’s work is about re-contextualizing his own experience with that history. He has done so through in-camera multiple exposure using contemporary models that overlay the original works. The source materials range from his own copy of Janson’s History to monographs found in secondhand bookstores. The images from these books are distressed and then photographed in his studio alongside the models used. These models often choose the images they are layered with. His end goal is to present a new reading of the source material, so the viewer might look at them and say, “I’m not sure I know the exact wok, but it looks familiar.” Strembicki’s models are real people, of all body types and ages, not necessarily the classical representation of the “ideal” or “perfect,” but with the grace and beauty that intrinsically resides in all forms of the human body.

Stan Strembicki was born in Providence, R.I. in 1952. He attended the University of Rhode Island as a theater student and only took photos as he thought it would be easier than drawing. In the course of this dodge, he met Professor Bart Parker the photo 1 instructor, who would become a lifelong inspiration and mentor. He transferred to the Art department and received his BFA in Photography and Studio Art in 1975. This turn of events has always reminded Strembicki that at any point, you can meet that one person who can make a pivotal difference in your life.

Strembicki’s work is exhibited widely in the USA and Europe and is part of major collections and museums in the Midwest and southern United States and on all seven continents. He has a long history with the city of New Orleans, having first visited the city in 1984. He has photographed the last 31 Mardi Gras events in New Orleans. His work on Post Katrina New Orleans began 30 days after the hurricane hit the city and continues to this day. His current work involves documenting the rebuilding of the lower 9th ward and the faith-based community there. In addition, Strembicki is currently an emeritus professor at Washington University, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. He currently lives in St. Louis with his wife of 50 years, Rosemary.