Local artist Gordon Skinner

(WTNH) - Local artist Gordon Skinner addresses social issues through his artwork.

Skinner grew up in New Haven and has been painting for about two years. He began creating collages and mixed-media art, but his most recent work consists of many mediums including paintings on canvas, wood and found objects using everything from acrylic to spray paint to mixed media and collage.

In his artist statement, Skinner writes, "Gordon Skinner’s work falls within the limitus of an identity in crisis. As a young African-American, the frustration felt by the artist at his lack of ownership in society is something that is centuries old and runs deep with in the veins of society. He is part of a group that feels fragmented, colonized, and lost. As Skinner puts it, 'I feel robbed of my heritage and culture.'"

He has a show at The New Haven Public Library, called "Stolen I.D.: Fragmented, Colonized and Lost." The show starts on January 19th and goes until February.

In addition, he am a featured artist at The Da Silva Gallery, a visiting artist at The Fernando Luis-Alvarez Gallery in Stamford and will be doing a show in the spring at Nuartlink gallery in Westport.

Skinner also has a documentary currently being made about his art by Take Notice Productions. Watch the teaser here.

Learn more on his Facebook page and Tumblr site.