Nature Speaks
April 2 – 23, 2024
Reception: Thursday, April 4, 2024, 6-8 PM
530 West 25th Street, New York, NY
Agora Gallery is pleased to announce Nature Speaks, a group exhibition of paintings that depict the pristine beauty of the natural kingdom. The selection includes works on canvas, wood panel, and paper executed in oils and a variety of water-based media. Greens and blues dominate the palettes, whether found in the turquoise waters of the sea, the emerald foliage of the woods, or the parakeet and fern gradients of a hill, offering an immersive experience of tranquility.
Roman god sculptures conjure visions of decadent gardens, perhaps in abandoned villas somewhere in the Italian countryside, where wildflowers and weeds reclaim their rightful ownership. Beautiful gardens, idyllic escapes graced with resplendent blooms, a black swan, the fonds of a willow tree in a park–everything celebrates the magnificence of the natural world.
Even when present, human figures act out secondary roles, existing solely in correlation with their surroundings. Receding in the distant background, they stand as quiet observers. Free at last of its artificial counterpart, nature’s voice reverberates through the valleys, forests, skies, and oceans, unleashing its full healing power. At a loss for words, we bow to the infinite eloquence of the natural world and remain silent, for a change.
Nature Speaks
Jerry Anderson
Paul Blumenthal
Claudia de la Hoz
Angel Espino
Magda Malkoun
Olga Obukhova
Rebecca Stenn
Grady Zeeman
Olga Zeltser
Jerry AndersonJerry Anderson’s paintings are expressions of vivacity and energy, flowing with bold colors and subtle yet striking emotion. A visceral exploration of human anatomy, using undulating blocks of shape and color to build human forms throughout the breadth of his acrylic paintings. Each piece makes use of a controlled color palette with saturated hues to explore focused sections of bodies. Wavering lines combine with color to evoke flames in vibrant reds and oranges, or suggest water in cool blues and purples. In contrast to simple shapes, the subjects themselves remain sensual in form; somehow familiar and tactile.
Once a viewer engages dialog with Anderson’s work, they discover a sense of intimacy, spirituality, and the connection between masculine and feminine energies. The male and female forms are transferred into landscapes, abstracting contours into hills and valleys. Based in California, Anderson is an American artist who has exhibited all around the United States. His work has been recognized in China, Europe, and the Middle East.
Cappadocia 3 Hidden Jewel, 2015
Acrylic on canvas 24” x 24”
Cappadocia 4 (Star Seeds - Summer), 2015 Acrylic on canvas 24” x 24”
Cappadocia 3 Hidden Jewel, 2015 Acrylic on canvas 24” x 24”
Cappadocia 4 (Star Seeds - Summer), 2015 Acrylic on canvas 24” x 24”
Cappadocia 8 Puppy Playground, 2016 Acrylic on canvas 24” x 24”
Paul Blumenthal
Montana-based painter Paul Blumenthal crafts oil and watercolor landscapes that blend direct observation and sincere emotional expression. Blumenthal’s work echoes a profound affection for the world. A practicing architect for most of his life, Blumenthal started with sketches of landscapes and buildings, during his travels in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These drawings evolved into meticulous studies on tablets and, eventually, vibrant watercolors. His current focus lies in landscapes, both real and imagined, capturing the essence of a place through uninhibited observation. Steering away from reality, his recent creations embody raw emotion, translating into compositions that merge painting and drawing, emphasizing expression above all else. Whether Montana’s mountains or the Israeli desert, his art aims to stir the heart and evoke a sense of wonder in those who behold it.
Acacia Tree, 1997
Ink, watercolor & gouache on paper 34” x 44.5”
Judean Desert 18, 1996 Ink, watercolor & gouache on paper 44” x 64”
Judean Desert 21, 1997 Ink, watercolor & gouache on paper 44” x 64”
Judean Desert 20, 1997
Ink on paper 44” x 62”
Claudia de la Hoz
A French-Colombian artist, Claudia de la Hoz employs nature as a catalyst to explore profound existential inquiries. De la Hoz expresses her colorful emotions through a fluid and engaging technique, utilizing acrylic, oil pastels, India ink, watercolors, and oil. Pink, in all its nuances, serves as her emotional mediator—a vector to convey and transcend profound feelings. Nature is at the core of her inspirations, paying homage to her Colombian heritage, where trees under her brush transform into dreamlike silhouettes and pastels evoke sunsets in her native Barranquilla. Extending beyond the canvas, De la Hoz created murals in France and neighboring countries, establishing a direct dialogue between art and the spaces it occupies. In a world besieged by emotional turbulence, her work offers an oasis of rejuvenation, providing solace and respite.
De la Hoz studied art history at Université Sorbonne Nouvelle and interior design at ‘École Bleue in Paris, France. Her work was featured in exhibitions and is present in numerous private collections in Europe and the Americas. De la Hoz lives and works in Paris.
Bambi, 2023
Acrylic and oil on canvas 39.5” x 39.5”
The Lost Tree, 2021
Acrylic and ink on canvas
23.5” x 31.5”
The Undressed Bride, 2023 Acrylic and oil on canvas 39.5” x 39.5”
Tuscany, 2021
Acrylic, ink and watercolor on canvas
23.5” x 31.5”
“Yoga for the mind,” this is how Colorado-based abstract artist Angel Espino defines his painting practice. Creating comes from a place of rest and peace, often in the depths of the night, when silence is most welcome. Espino’s work distills a pure intensity of form, color, and composition. The preponderant force of the natural elements bursts through his paintings, which display a palette of jubilant reds, oranges, greens, and blues that twirl and flow dynamically across his large canvases. The energy is palpable, infectious, unhinged: the wild flames of a fire, the majestic waves of a stormy ocean, the luxuriant striations of marbled rock.
Espino lets creativity traverse his body as if he were receiving a boon from the higher realms. Hovering above the painting, he deftly pours and drips, engaging in a spontaneous dance of fortuity and expert direction. “I like to paint myself into a corner,” Espino jokingly says. “I like the surprise of not knowing what you are going to get; just going into it and challenging yourself to pull through.” His abstract, expressionist style conveys the wisdom gained from reflection – experiences, planned and unplanned, that leave their mark for us to weave and rend into a tapestry of meaning. He opens the portal to his soul unreservedly, yet lets us drink freely from the well of emotions he offers. Once they touch the surface of the canvas, they are no longer his; they become a gift to us all.
Espino holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Design from The Art Institute of Colorado. He has exhibited widely in the United States and has a roster of many assiduous collectors. Espino is determined to use his talent as a way to give back to the community. He donated his work to and volunteered for various charities, including The Art of War and Adaptive Adventures, which support veterans in overcoming mental and physical disabilities. Espino served in the Army Reserve for eight years and owns a casino game development business. He is originally from El Paso, Texas, but lives and works in Denver, Colorado.
David II
Acrylic on wood panel 30” x 24”
Roman Goddess II, 2024 Acrylic on wood panel 30” x 24”
Opera, 2023
Acrylic on wood panel 36” x 24”
Paraiso, 2023
Acrylic on wood panel 36” x 24”
Magda Malkoun
Lebanese Dubai-based artist Magda Malkoun navigates the intricate psychology of displacement and the female experience in the Middle East. Captivated by human dynamics and their ripple effects on society and the environment, her creations mirror the ebb and flow of our collective experiences.
Malkoun crafts meticulously curated photo collages. Her female portraits become vessels for cherished memories and cultural panoramas, a testament to the boundless potential inherent in culture. Her journey of self-discovery molds these artistic expressions, resonating deeply with her life as a Lebanese artist navigating a world steeped in contrasting cultures and conflict.
Rooted in Lebanon’s rich heritage, her art interweaves universal themes of resilience and metamorphosis. Through a deliberate, painstaking process, Malkoun crafts realistic faces through grids, measurements, and collages, adding a unique dimension, and encapsulating the strength and resilience of the portrayed subjects. Through her art, Magda invites viewers to embrace their strength and the transformative power within.
Storm Rider, 2023
Mixed media on canvas
55” x 35.5”
Olga Obukhova
Russian artist Olga Obukhova paints people and animals that exude fantastical nostalgia. Immersed in fairy tales and novels as a child, she found joy in illustrating their vivid characters, bringing them to life through her drawings. Although her interest later shifted to animal and human portraits, notably of renowned and unconventional personalities, the paintings preserved the same enchanted aura as her early works. In the portraits, Obukhova seeks to capture the subject’s very essence and reveal their inner beauty. She likens the process to a heartfelt conversation, which forges an intimate connection between the subject and herself. Her paintings inject positive emotions, while gently inviting us to view the world in a different light. Her style is loose, expressive, and evocative, allowing the viewer to free associate without constraints.
The Aurora, 2021 Oil on canvas 28” x 20”
The
Dreams, 2021 Oil on canvas 28” x 20”
The Fragrance of White Irises, 2021 Oil on canvas 28” x 20”
The Mermaid, 2021 Oil on canvas 28” x 20”
The Serenity, 2022 Oil on canvas 28” x 20”
The Spring, 2021 Oil on canvas 28” x 20”
The Woman in Blue, 2021
Oil on canvas 28” x 20”
Rebecca Stenn
U.S. artist Rebecca Stenn has been a professional dancer, choreographer, and educator throughout her life. More recently her artistic practice shifted to include painting when she realized that the paintbrush was an extension of her body’s movement. Intrinsically linked with decades of dance performance, the artist considers space and proximity within her paintings. Acutely aware of the movement during the process of painting, Stenn works with acrylic paint. The artist began with purely abstract painting focusing on the process of a work, such as brush strokes and movement required for various textures.
Over time Stenn has begun to paint landscapes and portraiture. Her work has been exhibited as part of the Coming Out and Paraíso shows, at M.A.D.S. Gallery in Milan, the Future Landscapes exhibit at the Palazzo Abrizzi-Capello Gallery in Venice, and the Body Language 2022 exhibit at the Palazzo Bembo Gallery, also in Venice, the Ars Gratia Artis exhibit in London and as part of a featured artist series at Gallery Andrea, in Scottsdale, AZ. Stenn has exhibited in New York City numerous times with Agora Gallery and will exhibit with them once again, in the fall of 2024. She has taken part in art fairs in New York City, Miami, and South Hampton. Stenn recently won a juried competition at the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts in Mill Valley, California, and had work shown in their exhibit, Women Making Their Mark. Her work has also been exhibited at the Colerida Galeria de Arte in Lisbon, Portugal. Stenn will exhibit a solo show at Saphira & Ventura Gallery in New York City, in the fall of 2023.
Blue Tapestry, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
30” x 40”
Dog Mountain Acrylic on canvas 30” x 40”
Grady Zeeman
South African artist Grady Zeeman creates oil paintings that address emotional energy and spiritual connectivity in contemporary society.
Till We Meet Again, Zeeman’s latest series, is a heartfelt exploration of the universal emotions tied to love, separation, and reunions, inspired by the artist’s observations at airports. With a focus on the impact of physical touch, the series draws from the concept of love languages and aims to convey the power of touch in fostering closeness and trust. Through intricate details and vibrant depictions, the artist portrays subjects as enveloped by the energy of Divine love. Using oil as the primary medium and adding texture to symbolize life’s challenges, the series becomes a visual representation of overcoming difficulties through love. Ultimately, Zeeman hopes to convey her love for the Divine, humanity, and life itself, leaving behind a legacy of love, hope, and light.
Zeeman exhibited her work extensively, in the United States, the UK, Western Europe, Asia, and Africa. Her art was published in NY Arts Magazine, South African Art Times, Arttour International Magazine as well as numerous other books and publications. She was the recipient of many international art prizes and received the African Excellence Award for Contemporary Artist of the Year, in 2022. From 2011 to 2017 Zeeman had her own gallery in her hometown in South Africa, where she exhibited her work and that of other South African artists.
I’ll Hold You In My Heart, 2024
Oil on canvas
27.5” x 39.5”
No Matter Where You Are, 2024
We’ll Meet Again One Sunny Day, 2024
Oil on canvas 27.5” x 39.5” Olga ZeltserOlga Zeltser is a Russian photographer living in New York City. Growing up in the Soviet era, Zeltser learned how to face challenges from an early age. Through sacrifices, her mother taught her how to appreciate life’s blessings while nurturing her creative spirit with travels, piano lessons, and folk dancing. The 1991 Soviet coup left an indelible mark during Zeltser’s formative years. It prompted her to think independently and capture the untold stories of Russian folk, fueling her passion for street photography.
As a result, Zeltser views photography as an art of storytelling that immortalizes fleeting moments, fostering enduring connections. Her emotion-driven work establishes an intimate link between the act of photographing and specific temporal instances. Specializing in black and white street and wildlife photography, Zeltser distills intricate narratives into singular frames, celebrating life’s brevity and urging others to discover beauty beyond the visible.
Archival Print on Fine Paper 26” x 36”
Beach Mood, 2022
Dublin Stories, 2023 Archival Print on Fine Paper 26” x 27”
In the Hurry, 2024
Archival Print on Fine Paper 36” x 26”
In Tune, 2023
Archival Print on Fine Paper 36” x 26”
Loyal Companions, 2023
Archival Print on Fine Paper 26” x 32”
San Francisco Streets, 2022
Archival Print on Fine Paper 26” x 32”
Sky Painter, 2023
Archival Print on Fine Paper 26” x 36”
