1988 was a break-out year for Linder's work, starting with this show "Portraits". George Bush won the presidential election this year, and the Iran and Iraq war ends after eight years. 
The biggest leveraged buyout ever, happens with Nabisco during the 80's craze of mergers and acquisitions and the art world exploded. 

Allan's influences at the time were Nagel and Warhol. This exhibition was quite successful inside the spacious Installations one gallery.



This exhibition explored portraits in all mediums and styles. As you can see Linder's work was shaped by pop culture during this time. His use of popular icons and current events is quite evident in his older works. This exhibit ran from February to March 1988.



Idol


1987, Mixed media on board

36" x 24"

Private collection



Paisley Portrait

1987, Mixed media on foam core

36" x 24"

Private collection



Pale Face


1988, Acrylic on canvas

20" x 16"

Private collection



Purple Man

1988, Acrylic on canvas

20" x 16"

Private collection



Yellow Purple Sun

1988, Acrylic on canvas

48" x 40"

Private collection



Shades

1987, Mixed media on board

36" x 24"

Private collection



Stone Face

1988, Acrylic on canvas

24" x 18"

Private collection



Silhouette

1988, Acrylic on canvas

20" x 16"

Private collection

As you can see from Linder's work above, he experimented with several unconventional styles for his portraits during this show. He sold five pieces of work as a result of this show.



The Installations One Gallery held a well-attended opening reception for this exhibition. In the, above image, Allan Linder is standing on the left in the rear wearing a black shirt. In the foreground are Mickey Kaplan the show curator and another artist.

The event was covered by local press and TV news. This was just the beginning of a long history of successful shows for this artist. Linder exhibited in three more shows later this year.