Dan’s Papers April 27, 2012 danshamptons.com Page 64
& ART COMMENTARY by Marion W. Weiss
Bilotta, Corey And Howe at Crazy Monkey Gallery
Amagansett’s Crazy Monkey Gallery distinguishes itself by being the only co-operative art venue in the area; this itself is an achievement. It has also been in business for several years, having outlived other galleries that have, unfortunately, had to close. We don’t know the ins and outs of co-ops, but there surely must have been many challenges to overcome. Frankly, we’d like to know how The Crazy Monkey did it. The current exhibit with three artists may offer a partial answer. The work is articulate, stylistically varied and interesting to view. The material used also gets our attention. Consider abstract work by Lance Corey like “The Teacher” and “The Lover”: his latex on wood gives the pieces a special texture and enhances the wide brush strokes, splashes of paint and sometimes geometric forms. While Corey’s art seems to convey formal aesthetic qualities, his background indicates that he has diverse academic and cultural experiences.
For example, he has degrees room looks like. And more in Communication Arts, importantly, we wonder what Philosophy, Theology and kind of people live here. Howe’s International Relations. He has style is disconcerting and for a studied in Egypt and China reason. She starts with realism, on Fulbright Scholarships and perhaps deriving from her taught in New York City for 22 photography background, but years. Such experiences give a ends with a slight distortion. hint of his world view seen in For example, her overstuffed his paintings: simple and often chairs are not exactly “real,” primordial. reminding us a bit of Maria Abstracts by Barbara Bilotta Schon’s realistic but abstract also possess texture in their chairs that serve as metaphors. employment of acrylic with A “mumblecore” film (The Puffy resin, including “Hawkeye.” Chair) also comes to mind This texture, however, is not for this critic, “mumblecore” literal since her surfaces seem designating an independent, low shiny and slick, all the more budget work with low production reason to experience their values, like a home movie. impact. One such painting Often, the non-professional appears to mirror the inside actors seem to “mumble.” This of the body, heart and arteries doesn’t mean Howe’s chairs look galore. It is both disturbing shabby on purpose. Rather, and beautiful. Another white they come from a different place and purple piece recalls ink and time, maybe the ‘50s, and running to and fro, thus the perhaps provide a metaphor representation of movement. for the chairs’ owners. The With Bilotta’s work, the more fact that Howe majored in you look the more you see. psychology may help explain the Wilhelmina Howe’s paintings connotative use of non-verbal seem to concern stasis, the elements (furniture). opposite of the motion we see This show will be on view presents Work by Wilhelmina Howe. in Bilotta’s art. The works at The Crazy Monkey in Major works by define interior space; some are Amagansett until April 30. The Daniel O’Keefe and John simply corners of rooms which are Perreault often more gallery is located at 136 Main Street. Call 631-267intriguing because we wonder what the entire 3627 for hours and days. T
Gallery 125 presents
Major works by
Daniel O’Keefe
and
John Perreault
Through May 13th, 2012
Bellport, NY - In January of this year, Gallery 125 was transformed into a studio space, thus inaugurating an annual winter residency program for abstract artists. John Perreault, who showed last year at Gallery 125, has used his four-month stint to create six-foot by ten-foot paintings, employing his signature materials: black sand from Fire Island and instant coffee. During his concurrent residency, abstract painter Daniel O’Keefe new to the Gallery 125 stable, created major works on aluminum, employing Venetian plaster and tinting paste.
All works are available for acquisition. Public Viewing Schedule: Fridays - 4 - 7 pm Private Viewing Schedule: By Appointment Saturdays - 10:30 am - 5 pm 631.880.2693 Sundays - 10:30 am - 1:30pm ssbrig@optonline.net
Gallery 125 • 125 S. Country Road • Bellport, New York ssbrig@optonline.net • 631-880-2693 14547
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