Al Schreiber

1929–

Whimsical contemporary artist Al Schreiber has produced exclusive multi-dimensional works for Park West Gallery. Grounded in the energetic and primitive style of the American Pop artist, Red Grooms, Schreiber’s work falls in line with artists like James Rizzi and Charles Fazzino. These pieces take extraordinary amounts of time to create, are highly detailed, and require two complete images to create one finished work.

Born in the lower east side of New York City in January 1929, Al began life in the most unique of circumstances: both of Al’s parents were hearing impaired. By extraordinary good fortune, both Albert and his older brother Jerry were the only members of the entire Schreiber family to be born hearing. However, this special community offered Al the opportunity to become extremely well versed in the art of sign language, which would provide personal and professional opportunities throughout his life. Because of his parents’ lack of speech they had to attract young Al by banging on a table. Until he was nearly five years old, Al thought of this action as his name. Even today, banging on the table reminds Al of these moments from childhood.

Al left home at 16 and had to have an aunt sign the parental papers to allow him to become part of the merchant marines. After a short period, Al decided that his future lay with the United States Navy and was found to have the skills to become part of the medical corps. Al spent his tour of duty as base medical supervisor, taking care of all medial issues including supplies and even dentistry on all the smaller west coast facilities. As ironic as it may be, Al never went to sea; he actually spent most of his time in the U.S. Navy stationed in the Mojave Desert.

After a tour of duty, Al worked for the Hearst Publishing Corporation as National Sales Manager and is credited with the success of finding and developing many of today’s best known and respected writers. One of the most famous of these writers was the author of “Carrie.” After a dismal first edition, the author’s first novel was given to Al to promote through his sales force, and after much effort and a second release, “Carrie” became a success and the career of Steven King was born.

Al relocated to Florida where a multitude of outdoor activities keeps him busy year round. It was here that Al was introduced to the work of Charles Fazzino. Although Al was impressed by the artist, he thought that many of the historical references in Fazzino’s pieces were either missing or inaccurate. He told his wife that he would love to help the artist with historical research to make the works more authentic.

When an illness rendered Al bedridden for several weeks, his wife remembered his comments about Fazzino’s works and purchased the necessary tools to allow Al to pass the time by drawing images recalled from his childhood.

Realizing that he could transfer his memories onto canvas, he began to paint in earnest. Growing up on the east side of Manhattan, Al had absorbed the sights sounds and flavor of the “old neighborhood,” which he has incorporated into a series of paintings, entitled “Nostalgia.” Combining a lifelong hobby of compiling trivia (based on the neighborhoods of New York circa 1940-1950) with his new found artistic ability, Al focused on depicting what life was like in the five boroughs as well as colorfully spirited images in his adopted Florida home in South Beach.

His first professional showing at the Delray art affair in 1998 completely sold out. His work was in such demand that Al turned to publishing to feed the demand for the now extremely popular three dimensional, historically accurate renditions of city life in the 20th century.

Al now spends his life traveling extensively throughout the country, adding vibrant and stimulating renditions of major cities to his portfolio. When not traveling, he has successfully exhibited and marketed his work in both original and three dimensional forms throughout the United States.