Coining a first-of-its-kind persona, Howard Schoor has defined himself as a “trianglist.”
The inaugural term, introduced by Schoor himself, constitutes a Trianglist as an artist who uses triangles as the focal point, or at least the foundation, of abstract creations.
Schoor, a 79-year-old former engineer, is using the time he should be relishing in retirement, only to focus on an entirely new endeavor – art.
On June 22, Schoor, a resident of visual hub Asbury Park, introduced his geometrically sound creations to spectators at an exclusive event that was held at The Asbury Hotel in Asbury Park.
Schoor’s art is refined by the continual use of the triangle. “Trianglism” is a concept he said is accompanied by a certain aesthetic he wants viewers to appreciate as his he begins to define his identity in the art world.
Schoor’s website calls Trianglism, “visually and emotionally uncluttered and unpretentious …. Absent are pleas to dissect it,” which is a response to Schoor’s desire to capture the recognition of the minimalistic approach used to create his work.
Schoor’s art is straightforward and remains uninterrupted by a quest for deeper meaning in his otherwise simplistic conceptual pieces.
“It is what it is,” Schoor said.
The works in Schoor’s introductory exhibit range from $150 to $5,000. Schoor said he has painted 150 pieces of art since 2016, and he hopes to sell his work for upward of $50,000 per piece in the coming years.
A lifelong collector of modern and contemporary art, Schoor said he routinely would visit museums and internally marvel about the contributions he might one day grace upon the art world.
“Until 2016, I was always too busy pursuing my entrepreneurial interests. I never made time to see if I could do this,” Schoor said in his speech. “I decided it was time to do something great again …. I began painting with a passion.”
Schoor said his art is inspired by his past life as an engineer, a time when he regularly used the triangle in his work.
The inclusion of the triangle throughout the collection appears to represent Schoor’s desire for the continual use of the mechanics of precision – a quest for accuracy and symmetrically finite details.
In a subsequent interview, Knobelwoman Media Relations Director of Communications Melanie Knobel, who represents Schoor, said: “It’s been an honor to be a part of the Howard Schoor Art Team this year. Seeing Howard have so much passion makes me even more committed to being a part of his continued success. After an accomplished engineering career.”
Knobel continued, “…He could have stopped to rest. Instead, he turned to pursue his creative talents.”
Witnessing Schoor’s works emphasized a certain essence of ‘noise’ within an incredibly precise display of figures and lines. This aspect of noise vibrated throughout the spackle-induced texture of select works and the jagged edges of the triangles, while the variation between vibrant and muted color schemes etched individuality into each piece.
The triangle – or multiple triangles, for that matter – routinely demanded the center of attention from the eyes of all those who were in attendance.
Unlike some artists, Schoor places an emphasis on price-point transparency when evaluating the worth of each work. Schoor’s art can be viewed on his website prior to purchase, so those interested in obtaining one of his unique creations can observe a piece prior to purchase.
According to Schoor’s website, he called “the idea of valuing and purchasing art in a manufactured environment without any real transparency, ‘stupid.’”
A portion of the proceeds generated from Schoor’s art is donated to various charities in Monmouth County. Some of these charities include Collier Youth Services in Wickatunk, American Heart Association (New Jersey Chapter) in Robbinsville and Mary’s Place by the Sea in Ocean Grove.
“He inspires us all through his philanthropic pursuits, and ignited a fire within us to keep succeeding in all of our dreams,” Knobel said.
To view Schoor’s work, visit howardschoorart.com.