Amsterdam Whitney Gallery May 2015 Exhibition E-Catalogue

Page 1


LOREN ADAMS

“Attainment” Oil on Linen 24” x 20”


LOREN ADAMS “STARS FROM HEAVEN”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

“Nature won’t be summoned to order and won’t be kept waiting. It must be caught, well caught “stated the great Impressionist painter Claude Monet. Similar to Impressionism, Hawaiian artist Loren Adams is not interested in an exact replication of a landscape because nature is never as static as it appears in a photographic image, but is constantly changing through time and space, from season to season, through different visual perspectives. Abstracts nature’s representation by simplifying forms to essential investigations of color application. The use of textured color and his constantly changing perspectives between compositions gender a fascinating view of different moments in time, capturing the dynamic and ever changing environment through the energetic brushstrokes and textured application. In addition to a visual engagement of the sense of sight through a luscious color palette, his paintings engage a sense of touch through the thick textured application of paint. Dense, textured pools of color build up the surface of these compositions. With the diverse directionality of organic brushstrokes, the compositions visually parallel the temporality and environmental conditions of nature. Instead of mimicking a photographic representation of nature, Mr. Adam s explores the feeling of nature by emulating the organic texture of natural surfaces. His composition moves from a distant atmospheric perspective to a close-up, arbitrarily cropped grand depicting a heavenly sunrise over a warm and restless sea with light shining through the waves. Portrays an early morning coastal landscape with a cove, the viewer is seemingly placed amidst the luscious green gardens, looking upwards towards an end of the rainbow in Paradise at the seashore. From the Artist’s Impressions of Paradise series decadent visual field encompassing the facade of a pastel on a vibrant summer day, river, gazing through the overcast misty airs at the home, dwarfed by the overgrown trees flanking its exterior. Through multiple perspectives, juxtaposing color palettes, energetic brushstrokes and textured application, Mr. Adams’ compositions are in a visual representation of nature’s dynamism, showing that no single scene is the defining visualization of a natural landscape.


JEHAN ALI

“A Pick So Smart II” Oil on Canvas 44” x 88”


“SYNERGY OF THE STARS”

JEHAN ALI

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

Inspired by the Lucien Freud statement: “What do I ask of a painting? I ask it to astonish, disturb, seduce, convince,” the intriguing abstract surrealism creations of Jehan Ali’s dramatic artworks speak straight from the heart about the human experience. Reflecting on all that is most fascinating and sometimes most fragile, her exuberant paintings, in which colors, lines and forms battle for supremacy, reveal an enthralling reflection of an amorphous world of dreams. The result is a series of utterly compelling works which offer a precious insight into the perceptions of humankind as they invite us on a journey to explore new landscapes of the imagination and the soul. The mysterious realm of the psyche metamorphoses into dazzling and dramatic mindscapes. As Jehan Ali liberates her dreams, the result is a dynamic panorama of exciting sensations generated by the fountainhead of creative energy that springs from metamorphosing powerful pictorial sensations, vibrant textures and chromatic vibrations. Regardless of their representative associations, Ms. Ali’s characters’ relationships and interactions add to the complex plot that exists within her works. Visually intriguing, the intricate figures serve as a cornucopia of habitat and activity for her characters. Confidence and superb draughtsmanship allow her to manipulate space, in order to heighten the feelings of depth, height, width. The subtleties and delicacy of the coloration and the complexity of forms are utterly convincing and enthralling, so that the viewer is cajoled into entering her fantastical dreamscape. Offering a parallax vision and a fantasy dreamscape on life, Jehan Ali’ s visceral canvases communicate powerful energy and shifts in emotions and her elegant and poetic vision becomes a visual metaphor to mirror our own individual moods. Her warmly-colored palette resonates as much with passion as with hue, symbolizing the raw, emotional power of the untamed forces of the human soul. Emblematizig our own shifting emotional tides, as well as the harmonious relationship between the psyche and the organic world, Jehan Ali’s expressive oeuvre is a form of personal visual poetry and her goal is to emotionally communicate our inner most dreams and thoughts, while eloquently conveying its fragility.


PHILIP CATANIA

“Purple Haze 1 & 2” Oil on Canvas 12” x 18”


PHILIP CATANIA “SYNERGY OF THE STARS”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

“Art is everywhere, except it has to pass through a creative mind,” said Louise Nevelson. Contemporary Master Philip Catania’s surrealist fantasy paintings reflect the ways in which such a creative mind can take the world and transmute it into masterful works of art. By creating a universe of his own, he fuses the visual vocabularies of surrealism, figurative along with abstraction, drawing his inspiration from life and dreams. Mr. Catania invites the viewer into a pastel hued chimeric world, with illusory figures dancing just on the edge of definition, leaving his audience to decide where one image ends and another begins. Breathtakingly imaginative, each canvas reveals a powerful, expressive vision, resonating with a distinctive, dreamlike aura. Ethereal a morphous figures float in a symbol-laden elusive, wondrous vista reflecting a vortex of emotions .These terrestrial and celestial paradoxical silhouettes result in works that capture life’s essence, but also fulfill the artist’s goal of transmitting a feeling of mysticism. Speaking in languages both iconographic and purely visual, the focal point of Philip Catania work centers around his own stylized version of the human figure. The amalgamation of these diverse artistic traditions explode as a metaphor for the complexities of cross-cultural life’s experiences as he invites viewers to celebrate his unique vision. With his visually arresting and highly original works, his visceral compositions express his internal world and inner emotions which mirror visions of the innermost syntax of the human soul. Employing a colorful chromatic palette, featuring surreal colors and an indefinable treatment of space, his spiritual paintings of are populated with surreal landscapes and angelic creature s. Expertly balancing a varied color palette, juxtaposing bright and muted shades, this skilled artist provides each image a dynamic flow. With a keen eye for color, texture, and design, his imaginative oeuvre produces dreamlike imagery that seems to sprout from the canvas . Allowing himself the freedom to use many different types of inspiration, Philip Catania’s otherworldly transfigurations represent the haunting and turbulent side of human nature and he states: “ For me, painting opens a doorway to a cerebral vision, making my mind go spiritually deeper which allows me to tap into the essence of my soul. The process of mixing colors and brushing paint onto a canvas allows my thoughts to formulate ethereal ideas which produce substantial identities within my painting, giving tangibility to beings from the world beyond.” His control over his technique produces this essence for the viewer, giving us an intimate tete-a-tete with the inner workings of his creative heart and soul.


MANUELA CIMMINO

“Pensiero” Oil on Canvas, Steel, Iron 47” x 47”


MANUELA CIMMINO “STARFILLED SYNCHRONICITIES”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

Hans Hofmann declared: “A work of art is a world in itself reflecting senses and emotions of the artist’s world.” Italian artist Manuela Cimmino paints transformative organic minimalist compositions, transcending the requirements of everyday reality to create a visual realm without time, without limits, and with endless space. Featuring geometric forms, her sculptural wall hangings comprised of iron, steel, plastic, plaster and paint interact with unique juxtapositions of line and geometric form, with thick layers of textured paint which adds a level of dimensionality to the overall effect. Metamorphosing into concrete structures, her tableaux are imbued with a rich, ebullient two-dimensional, textural effect, providing a visual imagery of spiritual revelation. Communicating her unique artistic vision which reflects vibrant parallel realities that come alive, Manuela Cimmino dexterously builds formal, structured, geometric compositions with nuanced, textured brushstrokes and formidable form. Characterized by the interplay of elegant lines that are juxtaposed against painterly textured surfaces, often overlapping with dynamic geometric shapes, she infuses her compositions with an innovative layering of texture and depth. Tempting the edge of non-representation, Ms. Cimmino blends the marvels of abstraction along with the tactile wonders of the three-dimensional world. In canvases replete with dazzling pops of colors and rich textures that incorporate geometric lines and forms, Manuela Cimmino synthesizes the perfect aesthetic environment where color,depth and movement in space crystallize to create entirely new abstract vistas that invite the viewer to look beyond what is seen. Aesthetically and spiritually transcending the natural world, her geometric abstracts can be alternately viewed as spartan in their restraint or baroque in their richness. These non-objective works are anchored by dynamic lighting, architectural sensibility, and the notion of movement to create entirely new worlds. Exploring the unique sensibility that metamorphose when solitary lines are placed against powerful backgrounds, this gifted artist’s unique artistic vision offers allusions to the industrial world, popular culture and metaphysical states of being.


J.B. DULE

“Color Field #1” Oil on Canvas 36” x 48”


J.B. DULE “STARFILLED SYNCHRONICITIES”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

Pierre Bonnard said of art that, “Drawing is feeling. Color is an act of reason.” New York Native and contemporary master J.B. Dule exemplifies this notion with his evocative, colorful works. Working with multiple layers of complex influences, Mr. Dule builds upon the language of abstraction, channeling the energizing act of painting into a fresh form of visual syntax. Each powerful canvas has the force of a hurricane behind it, whipping up the vivacious hues into a veritable storm of meaning and expression, creating an exciting, new experience for every individual viewer. Bold and beautiful, J.B. Dule’s canvases convey an elegant charm via their vivid brush strokes and distinct geometry. The experience of Mr. Dule’s paintings is akin to listening to an instrumental piece of music, showing distinct structure in the crescendos and decrescendos of color and line while inspiring visceral emotion, lending to the overall majesty of the painting. The rhythmic ebb and flow contained within his exuberant denote the nuance of his approach, lending to his unique style and approach to the idea of abstraction and imbuing each canvas with a distinct personality of its very own. Invoking the idea of natural spaces, J.B. Dule brings the viewer into something of an illusory world, his strokes and lines becoming mountains and valleys to explore and experience. Mr. Dule says, “I have found painting to be either one of two endeavors. The first is an exploration of materials, colors, and textures and the rich tapestry of creation when they are brought together in unique ways. The second is the appearance of abstract images out of the subconscious mind expressing deep emotions and sensibilities.”


MAUREEN GRAVES

“Magic” Oil on Canvas 36” x 36”


MAUREEN GRAVES “STARFILLED SYNCHRONICITIES”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

“When the color achieves richness, the form attains its fullness also,” said Paul Cezanne on the act of painting. International Artist Maureen Graves exemplifies this statement through her dynamic hues and iridescent tones. Ms. Graves’ bold palette, with its warm tones and almost shimmering beauty, captures the ever flowing and changing essence of nature while simultaneously transporting the viewer to an entirely different, surreal realm shrouded in red shadows and golden light. The abstract usage of chiaroscuro creates a wholly unique and imaginative experience, giving every canvas a mythical, dreamlike quality. Subtle yet ultimately brimming with energy, Maureen Graves’ canvases are meant to be portals to an obfuscated, illusory world, enrapturing and tantalizing with every brush stroke by providing the tempting silhouette of the familiar in the rouge hued mists that dominate the scenery of her paintings. The tangible electric current that runs through Ms. Graves’ choice of color and style adds mystery to each inch, inviting the viewer into the deepest depths of this constructed world. Mythical and ethereal, each canvas combines familiar shapes and curves with a surreal atmosphere, imparting the feeling of a legendary setting for an adventure to make their story within. “The mystery or haunting quality of my work is my own search for the Spiritual ,” says Maureen Graves of her work, “ There is “something out there” that can be touched through these world stories that tell universal truths and human longings. “ Her unique, stylistic oeuvre calls to mind the great Expressionist paintings of the twentieth century, expanding and improving upon the styles that came before with her own masterful, painterly eye and careful brushwork. Each canvas radiates with heat and rapturous mystique, giving fullness to form by filling it with warm, spectral hues and breathing a life of its own into those shrouded, distant figures.


ANDREA HARRIS

“Glimmer” Oil on Canvas 30” x 30”


ANDREA HARRIS “STARS FROM HEAVEN”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

“If I were called upon to define briefly the word Art, I should call it the reproduction of what the senses perceive in nature, seen through the veil of the soul” stated Paul Cezanne. Andrea Harris’s elegantly soulful and evocative paintings of nature offer a unique and distinctive modern vision to the landscape genre. Conveying an alluring mystique combined with an air of the mystery and wonderment of the environment, her masterful compositions are identified by her enticing mastery of her technique. By capturing the fleeting effect of natural phenomena, Ms. Harris immortalizes the transitory quality of nature and seduces the viewer into contemplating a myriad of emotions regarding their relationship with the natural terrain. In our digital, technological universe, where changes are occurring at lightning speed, Ms. Harris shifts the visual dialogue inward by asking the viewer to put away their techno-devices; to slow down and take the time to view the world around them, and to think about their emotional relationship with nature. Creating a gentle aura of awe, Andrea Harris’ lyrical landscapes result in an intense and sensuous experience with the natural terrain. Hovering on the cusp between abstraction and representation, Andrea Harris’s sublime compositions reveal a fresh perspective combined with a deep insight into the familiar. The artist contemplates the landscape and discovers a romantic elation as well as a note of melancholy as she searches for nature that is beyond the reality of our senses. Keenly attuned to the progressions of the seasons, her paintings assimilate the soul and spirit of the land and through this magical osmosis; her beautiful paintings are a tribute to the ever-fleeting flashes of time in our lives. The individual compositions are distinguished by a high level of painterly sophistication evidenced in disciplined compositions sparking a masterful use of color. Because color is so alluring, it captivates one’s senses, as she employs a carefully selected palette to deliberately challenge the viewer’s imagination and emotions. A melodic and exceptional use of color along with the fluidity and energy of her technique enable her to underscore the light, the subtle tonal transitions, and constant play of warm hues against cool which provide astonishing richness and depth to the shadows and vibrant luminosity to the highlights.


DAVID JONES

“Breaking Waves, Oregon Coast” Oil on Canvas 24” x 30”


DAVID JONES “STARS FROM HEAVEN”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

Henri Matisse mused “Fit the parts together, one into the other, and build your figure like a carpenter builds a house. Everything must be constructed, composed of parts that make a whole.” Fitting with this architectural inspiration, Massachusetts based painter David Jones takes each canvas piece by piece, building each form and figure from the ground up and, through these layers, lends his canvases a sense of monumental proportion. Utilizing this structured, logical approach, Mr. Jones excavates a true beauty from his geometric style, imbuing each line and curve with a deep, oceanic power that commands both the attention and the respect of the viewer. Says David Jones of his art, “I spend my days creating works of art that inspire people to explore the mind of their being; bringing light to the imagination, the mind and the eyes.” Becoming the Auteur of his own narrative, Mr. Jones’ painted scenarios act as still images imbued with charismatic directorship. David Jones’ compositions convey a story but unlike an author an artist does not use words. Rather, the story is told with brushstrokes utilizing color, light and shade, line and shape; illustrating the natural world not only viscerally but psychologically, this masterful painter reflects the essence of his subjects. Using a subtle and demure color palette, choosing mainly cool colors with which to work, highlights the subject matter and downplays the surroundings, almost blurring them, creating a composition of action by drawing viewers forcefully into the narrative and allowing them to imagine forthcoming events to unfold within their minds. This contemporary master illustrates life scenes of nature with strong depictions of the natural terrain and women as architecture, defined by bold outlines and rich depth of color. His confidence and superb draftsmanship allow him to play with space, distorting perspective in order to heighten the feelings of depth, height, width, turning the mundane into monumental visions, calling to mind the colossi of old. The artist’s brushwork is patient and smooth, yet vibrantly malleable, as if he is calmly waiting for his subjects to come to life within his works. Applying bold swatches of outlines colored hues to make his paintings jump to life, grounding his abstract, geometric world within reality, making it approachable and bold.


NIKOLAY KUK

“In Pursuit of Meanings” Papier Mache 32” x 52” x 10”


NIKOLAY KUK “STARLIT INCANDESCENCE”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

Wassily Kandinsky declared; “Every work of art is the child of its age and, in many cases, the mother of our emotions. It follows that each period of culture produces an art of its own which can never be repeated.” Russian artist Nikolay Kuk’s provocatively expressionist, nonconformist mixed media creations are empowered by this concept. Reflective of the Soviet Era culture, there is inherent subversion in every form and angle, channeling the tensions of the time into a new, modern era. This blending of style and culture helps to create something utterly unique, exuding defiant energy and boldness, challenging the viewer’s perceptions of culture and art. By conveying images that range from simple to dramatic, Mr. Kuk encapsulates the human spirit and its journey through life by employing movement and ever-shifting colors. Capturing a moment in a shape is both a beautiful and a dangerous struggle; his compositions emblematize a struggle reflective, in some ways, of many experiences common to all of us in our lives. In creating complex texture with his usage of color, Nikolay Kuk demonstrates his painterly expertise, ultimately taking each work into a whole new realm. Employing a scheme of vivid colors and bold contrasts, he creates an emotional mood, uniting organic figures with specific textural enhancements. The overtly patterned surfaces add a depth of experience to each sculpture and relief, lending them the illusion of being almost flesh and bone themselves. Each figure and image calls to mind the idea of long lost fairy tales with their dark settings and vibrant characters, teasing the viewer into following them deeper into the forest of their narrative. This combination of organic shapes with textural enhancements and scintillating hues invokes profound feelings within the viewer, demanding attention and response. Mr. Kuk’s work refuses to be ignored, enchanting and utterly irrepressible. Using the Russian lubok as an ornamental pattern further emphasizes the influences Nikolay Kuk incorporates into his work, adding a sense of cultural heritage and timelessness to his pieces. The blending of colors and shapes lends itself to observation, passing along meaning and understanding through a complex visual discourse that eschews preconceived notions of art and structure by creating something new and unique, allowing for every viewer to have a distinct and different impression. Drawing on a keen eye and a reservoir of life experiences to transform seemingly separate and individual components into works that touch the viewer, the artist succeeds in creating transformative , unique works that combine artistic stimulation with the portrayal of the essential beauty and mystery of life.


TED MARTLAND

“Lotta” Mobile 30” x 24”


TED MARTLAND “COLLECTORS’ CHOICE”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

“The universe is real but you can’t see it. You have to imagine it. Once you imagine it, you can be realistic about reproducing it,” declared the great Modern sculptor Alexander Calder. Contemporary sculptor Ted Martland imagines the universe as a space of perpetual motion through his kinetic colorful, organically shaped mobiles, designed to delicately react to surrounding atmospheric conditions, symbolically expressing the dynamic energy of the universe. The viewer may interpret the various changing relationships of the elements of these colored spheres and disks which rotate in space, resulting in a delicate equilibrium radiating a multitude of visual formats. Masterfully manipulating industrial materials into organically nebulous shapes, Dr. Ted Martland juxtaposes forms to create complex mobile structures reminiscent of Joan Miro’s fantastical Surrealist anthropomorphic paintings. Polymorphic shapes playfully sway above one’s natural perspective. Although the saturated designs appear to be purely aesthetic, all individual shapes within each distinct mobile are scientifically designed by Dr. Martland to act as structures aiding in the development of the whole; each part serves a strategic balancing purpose, sustaining the harmonious equilibrium each mobile visually portrays. These myopic objects react to their surroundings, as they retain autonomous individuality as they react to air currents, wind and other environment conditions which induce motion, creating a symbiotic relationship between reality and plastic production. With Dr. Martland’s mobile sculptures, he extends the boundary of movement one step further, by allowing his fantastical objects which symbolize speed to actually move themselves. Dr. Ted Martland’s mobile sculptures become nexus of light where the equilibrium of shape, size, color and space combine in shifting balanced relationships that provide a visual metaphor to the harmonious but unpredictable activities of life and nature. His works of art suggest that we not be grounded in day-to-day life, but pursue our goals with an eye toward freedom and spirituality.


Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24

BARBARA MUIR

“Breakfast in the Hotel” Quadriptych Oil on Panel 36” x 38” (each)


“SYNERGY OF THE STARS”

BARBARA MUIR

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

Claes Oldenburg stated that “Painting, especially much better than words, allows oneself to express the various stages of thought, including the deeper levels, the underground stages of the mental process.” Canadian Artist Barbara Muir’s gorgeous jewel-tone quadriptych canvases elevate the simple elegance of the still life into a new communicative realm, underscoring joyful expression and portraying a true to life subject matter that rejoices in the warm comfort of a good breakfast. Using this familiarity to invoke the nostalgia and happiness associated with it, Ms. Muir translates the mundane into the fantastic, turning the simplicity of the ritual of a breakfast into a true visual banquet of art. Her bountiful breakfast becomes a metaphor for the bounty of life and is highlighted by a clear blue sky. Laden with celebratory, ecstatic energy, her canvases overflow with a cornucopia of joie de vivre. Through her medium, she commemorates not just the image, but the sensual understanding of the image, invoking the sense memories of smell and taste via her clever usage of line and shading. “I’ve been thinking about still life, and how sensual it is for me,” says Barbara Muir, “how these small images of the moments of our lives shimmer in memory when we work on recording not just how it looked, but the feeling of delight we had being there.” Through the lens of her oeuvre; Ms. Muir translates the mundane into the fantastic, turning the simplicity of breakfast into a true work of art and a clear blue sky into a canvas laden with celebratory, ecstatic energy. Her deep connection to her subject matter both visually and emotionally imbues her paintings with a sense of vibrant life, as though the viewer could simply walk through the doorway of her expression and into the scene itself. Each canvas is created with such wonder filled grace and care that it is impossible to ignore not because it demands attention, but unobtrusively lures the viewer into its orbit. The beauty in the everyday is what is placed on a pedestal for the viewer to enjoy within Barbara Muir’s body of work. Her delicate, masterful control over her brush underscores the true, radiant beauty hiding in the fabric of the world around us. Ms. Muir takes what is construed as ordinary and tears away the veil to reveal it for the miracle that it really is in the simple act of existing. Her bright colors, expert understanding of light and relatable subject matter all coalesce into a wonderfully balanced canvas that is welcoming, warm, and filled with a vibrant love for life.


Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24

DENIZ ORKUS

“Dragon NJ Series” Mixed Media on Board 27.6” x 19.7”


DENIZ ORKUS “STARLIT INCANDESCENCE”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

Arshile Gorkey stated, “Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot physically see with his eyes... Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is an explosion into unknown areas.” Accordingly, the abstract expressionist works by Turkish artist Deniz Orkus follow this credo with a captivating force as her compositions explode with movement and texture. Investing her paintings with unrestrained brushwork which interjects powerful emotions onto the canvases, Ms. Orkus’s mesmerizing oeuvre is replete with kaleidoscopic color and rich texture. This skilled artist guides the viewer to explore a new, non-representational visual odyssey of beauty and wonderment featuring bold terrains of paint which are metaphorical narratives of our universe. Through the labyrinth of her paintings, she endeavors to reveal the ineffable, gripping journey of sensations as viewers engage in a dialogue which questions the relationship between color and surface, darkness and lightness, materiality and immateriality. These inherent issues of revealing the invisible within the visible, the intangible within the tangible, magnetically draw us closer to understanding the physical and emotional world. Exuding bursts of energy, Deniz Orkus’ visceral brushstrokes and sweeping lines convey motion and often portray an abstract narrative upon the canvas. A visible impasto application lends her art interesting texture and three dimensionality. A vibrant kaleidoscopic fusion of masterful coloration lends her oeuvre a riveting aura with bold hues as softer lines and shapes constitute the atmospheric background. This strong color palette emphasizes the expressive strength that is unleashed as her lusciously layered expressive strokes of vibrantly colored hues, create an all-over energetic composition expressing sentiments and feelings inspired by our surrounding world. An intrepid spectrum of color and boldness of line attracts and excites viewers’ to contemplate these glorious non-objective compositions. Through her masterful palette, the eye is guided from point to point by a pulling force, which like gravity, draws one’s attention to the center where the focal point varies from an ocular exuberant space. Deniz Orkus’s expressive execution, color and line combine to create a single harmonious composition, and sensationally catapult viewers’ attentions towards infinite imaginative interpretations. Combining painterly abstraction with skill, Ms. Orkus invites viewers to joyfully engage with her personal visual expression as she pours passionate brushstrokes onto the canvas, expressing the life-long escapade freely shaping individualism through colorfully saturated effervescent forms. With a strong emphasis on the emotive aspects of abstract form, she achieves a delicate balance between color and form, maintaining a strong sense of harmony. The artist transforms powerful emotions in her abstract paintings providing the freedom to express the essence of a particular aesthetic experience. Art and emotions have always been inextricably mingled, a combination of inside and outside, impressions, feelings, and reflections.


Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24

JOSE POLCHEIRA

“Big Hug” Reclaimed Wood 48” x 24”


JOSE POLCHEIRA “STARFILLED SYNCHRONICITIES”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

“Take an object. Do something to it. Do something else to it. Do something else to it,” said Jasper Johns of his craft. Contemporary artist Jose Polcheira’s works in reclaimed wood echo this sentiment; taking an object and then re-purposing it into wonderfully colorful, joyful relief canvasses that practically glow with creative energy. His vivid, cheerful color palette bridges the gaps between Pop Art and NeoDadaism, using this reclaimed wood and creating something bright and uniquely vivacious. Mr. Polcheira’s employment of childlike colors and images is underscored and deconstructed by his usage of found and recycled materials, bringing to mind questions of childhood in the modern era and the cyclical nature of life. In many ways, the way we look at adulthood has changed, allowing us to keep and hang onto things from our youth for longer than we had been able to in the past. Jose Polcheira taps into this visceral need for the comforts of our collective infancy with their bright colors and inviting presences and asks us as viewers to look deeper; to see the ways we take pieces of our adulthood and dress them in the soft fabrics of youth. Bold and brilliant with scintillating depth of meaning; Jose Polcheira’s relief paintings are a spectacular aesthetic treat, giving new life to recycled wood; producing not only a rich, visual language but also a deeply challenging rhetoric. His mature understanding of the trappings of childhood allows him to transmute the once discarded materials into something beautiful and truly transcendent.


Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24

ALMA SHEIK

“Prima Vera” Oil on Canvas 19.68” x 27.56”


ALMA SHEIK “STARLIT INCANDESCENCE”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

Inspired by the artistic vision of Monet who stated that he “Owed becoming a painter to flowers,” Alma Sheik’s oil canvases pay homage to the timeless appeal of the floral world, creating visually rich transplendent floral bouquets, offering contemporary evanescent reinterpretations of classically inspired floral arrangements. Her ravishing impressionistic-style paintings exude radiant light and luscious color while also epitomizing a buoyant joie-de-vivre. Distilling the eternal from the transitory, Ms. Sheik taps into the art historical heritage of the Impressionists as her elaborate florals convey a reverence to our environs. Her paintings are prismatic portals to nature, where she captures the timelessness of our world through her own individualistic lexicon of illuminated hues and masterful brush strokes. Tactile and dynamic, Ms. Sheik’s lush compositions depict the effervescent beauty of heavenly bouquets and gardens, offering a celestial rendering of heaven on earth. The viewer feels as if he has been transported to an enchanted floral paradise infused with luminescent light accompanied by an incandescent, huetopian palette replete with sun-kissed hues of cerulean blue, verdant greens, cadmium yellows, peony pinks and rosy reds. These magical floral incantations expand beyond the boundaries of the canvas, attaining an astonishing three dimensionality and invite the viewer to inhale the aromatic sensatory splendors of nature. The lush, glistening surfaces of every deep, exquisitely colorful painting are lyrically ethereal and are the quintessence of divine natural beauty. Highlighting with magnificent color the natural realm, Alma Sheik masterfully brings to life the vibrancy of Mother Nature. A passionate fascination with flowers and nature emblematize the creations of this gifted artist who is captivated by the constant evolution of flowers and other natural phenomena. Poetic in precision and poignant in purity of form, Ms. Sheik is adroit in her use of the vibrant oil medium, virtuosically applying it onto canvas, a technique that lends a richly nuanced texture to her works. Exalting the sublime majesty of nature, her impressionistic canvases reflect the luminosity and richness of the terrain. In addition, Ms. Sheik is admirably recognized for her outstanding still life paintings.


Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24

RIEN VORGERS

“Summer” Acrylic on Canvas 32.3” x 28.3”


RIEN VORGERS “STARLIT INCANDESCENCE”

MAY 1 - JUNE 16, 2015

Piet Mondrain said, “The truly modern artist is aware of abstraction in an emotion of beauty.” Boldly expressive and confidently assertive, the art of Dutch artist Rien Vorgers is an amalgam of line and form with an atmospheric use of color in an inspired abstracted environment, revealing multiple layers of human emotion, often representing the more haunting and turbulent side of nature, exemplifying this charged statement. Inspired by the metropolis of the mind in a powerful vision of contemporary society, Rien Vorgers conveys sentiments through a sophisticated balance of abstraction, figuration, and surrealism, as his fascinating oeuvre invites us to unforeseen realms, to a place where we are able to see beyond the picture to the subtexts, all hidden within the composition. By synthesizing biomorphic forms which range from cadaverous silhouettes to abstracted themes featuring a quadruplet series on the four seasons, Mr. Vorgers masterfully captures the imagination of the viewer. Complex and brilliant, Mr. Vorgers ‘ acrylic canvas paintings reflecting his “mosaic” style of painting, offer qualitative, abstract musings on the universal powers as they explore new aesthetic paths that burst with gestural swaths of bold tones and brilliant plays of light, catapulting him to the category of being a visionary creator. Labyrinthine in nature, his brilliantly colored, prismatic forms are an exploration of shape and hue that result in a mesmerizing narrative tableaux, revealing the thin lines between man and the natural world around him, uniting them as one. A strong expressionistic vista of the complexities of life and nature extend beyond pure abstraction into something more recognizable. Rhythmic juxtapositions of surreal themes along with fluid abstraction abound, with hints of latent human figuration half buried in rich pools of textured hue confront the viewer. Emotion permeates his embolden canvases resonating with human emotion as he maintains a powerful energy through his vibrant signature color palette creates whimsical images that teem with colors, details, and patterns. Each of his acrylic works reverberate with a saturated spectrum of hues that describe energetic spaces and scenes with unbridled emotion. His fantastical compositions exude an otherworldly presence that captures the imagination and energizes the viewer and prompts the spectator to question one’s own understanding of reality. Metamorphosing into glowing visions, Rien Vorgers invites us to look closer and to forge a spiritual connection into his fascinating universe of sensorial perception.


AMSTERDAM WHITNEY International Fine Art, Inc. 511 West 25th Street, Chelsea New York, NY 10001 Phone: 212-255-9050 Fax: 212-255-9020 www.AmsterdamWhitneyGallery.com AmsterdamWhitney@aol.com

MAY GROUP PRESS RELEASE AMSTERDAM WHITNEY GALLERY, 511 West 25th Street, Chelsea, New York City, is proud to show in its MAY 1-JUNE 16 2015 Exhibition leading Contemporary Master Artists whose work explores the abstract, figurative and natural worlds, exalting the realm of the aesthetic through brilliant coloration and dazzling form. This special “SALUTE To The STARS! ” exhibition boasts more “Stars than there are in Heaven” and offers a sparkling tribute which will dazzle the senses of both art acquisitiors and art aficionados alike with its incandescent renewal and regeneration of the visual realm. Pulsating with dynamic synergy and artistic creativity, these artists’ sophisticated, eclectic and often joyful representations of the world shine the spotlight on a unique, universal artistic language. Each artist has the unique capacity to circumnavigate cultural barriers and nationalistic identities as they translate contemporary global art to transcend the scope of language, translating their views into a universal manifestation of international artistic communication. Reflecting the revitalizing penetration of compelling global ideas in our culture, this cross-continental conversations in art will dazzle the senses during the spring season for both art acquisitiors and art aficionados alike with its incandescent aesthetic explorations of the visual realm. STARS From HEAVEN is a celestial constellation showcasing international artists based in the US whose incandescent paintings intricately interweave a sublime tableau, reflecting an expressionist connection between humankind and the wonderment of the terrestrial realm. This heaven-on-earth exhibition emphasizes ravishing juxtapositions of line and form as these masterful artists communicate the ambrosial joys of our environment and interject their luminescent compositions with exciting, positive spiritual energy. Offering a parallax vision to the majesty of the natural world by creating a magical, enchanted kingdom, their works joyfully burst with dynamism as they ethereally illustrate the splendor of the natural terrain. The incandescent landscape paintings of Hawaiian Artist LOREN ADAMS boast a modern interpretation of the landscape genre incorporating rainbows, serene waters, and the divine beauty of nature. ANDREA HARRIS’ ethereal landscape paintings immortalize nature’s transitory essence exuding the mystery & romantic allure of the terrain. DAVID JONES’ evo cative, architectural oceanic canvases radiate with true elegance, using the geometric re-imaginings of the landscapes and figures to command respect and awe. STARFILLED SYNCHRONICITIES is a sparkling exhibition which represents the apex of excellence reflecting the work of four abstract masters working in the U.S. and abroad. Through the non-objective modality of oil, acrylic and mixed media painting, these artists offer an international perspective to the non-representational realm by illustrating powerful artistic interpretations of the world. Their imaginative quest for new artistic horizons and sensorial synchronicities explores inner visions and emotions rather than words as they transform interpretive realms into poignantly mystical beautiful abstract works of art, illuminating the mysteries of the world while offering unique insights into the wonderment of life. Metamorphosing into concrete structures, Italian artist MANUELA CIMMINO’S mixed media tableaux are imbued with a rich, ebullient two-dimensional, textural effect, providing a visual imagery of spiritual revelation. Working with multiple layers of complex influences, J.B. DULE builds upon the language of abstraction, channeling the energizing act of painting into a fresh form of visual syntax. MAUREEN GRAVES’ bold palette, with its warm tones and almost shimmering beauty, captures the ever flowing and changing essence of nature while simultaneously transporting the viewer to an entirely different, surreal realm. Brazilian born JOSE POLCHEIRA’S vivid, sanguine color palette in harmony with his pieces made of reclaimed wood bridge the gaps between Pop Art and Neo-Dadaism, using recycled material to create something bright and uniquely vivacious.


SYNERGY of the STARS challenges the eye with three masters from Dubai, New York State, and Canada whose expressive paintings reflect the visceral qualities of the human heart by revealing a huetopian quest of colors juxtaposed against a polarity of shapes that pulsate with electric energy. Ignited by the dynamic use of brilliant and bold pigments which capture the dichotomy of human emotions, their visual odyssey explores the unconventional images of the spirit. Always evolving into a profound metaphoric message through their metaphysical search, they create a virtual fireworks display of creative and exuberant energy infused with emotional power and bravado. The intriguing, abstract surrealist creations in JEHAN ALI’S dramatic artwork speaks straight from the heart about the human experience. PHILIP CATANIA translates reality into splendid fictions in his oil paintings by combining imagery from the natural world and fantastical scenarios experienced in dreams to create opulent Surrealist compositions. BARBARA MUIR’S gorgeous jewel-tone quadriptych canvases elevate the simple elegance of the still life into a new communicative realm, underscoring joyful expression and portraying a true to life subject matter that rejoices in the warm comfort of a good breakfast. STARLIT INCANDESCENCE is a stellar artistic compendium that shines the light and unravels the mysteries of the world through four international artists from Russia, Turkey and The Netherlands. Transcending cultural boundaries, their visceral canvases and exciting sculptures are expressive metaphors that vibrantly mirror the energy of life. These masterful works invite the viewer to expand our artistic horizons to form new viewpoints as they explore the profound complexities of the world. Encouraging audiences to interact with powerful and forceful compositions, the results of this dazzling survey are utterly compelling works whose bold intensity and dynamic truths communicate sizzling artistic energy which conveys a rich new visual lexicon. NIKOLAY KUK’S profoundly evocative expressionist, mixed media works subvert their Soviet Era roots with their bright, nonconformist colors and shapes. The abstract expressionist works by Turkish artist DENIZ ORKUS explode with captivating force as she threads her compositions with kinetic movement and texture. ALMA SHEIK’S oil, still-life canvases pay homage to the timeless appeal of the floral world, creating visually rich transplendent floral bouquets, offering contemporary evanescent reinterpretations of classically inspired floral arrangements. The mixed media paintings of RIEN VORGERS are an amalgam of line and form with an atmospheric use of color in an inspired abstracted environment, revealing multiple layers of human emotion. COLLECTORS’ CHOICE exhibition showcases the kinetic and colorful mobiles of contemporary master TED MARTLAND whose creatively organic sculptural pieces delicately react to surrounding atmospheric conditions, symbolically expressing the dynamic energy of the universe and demonstrating a delicate equilibrium radiating a multitude of visual formats.


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.