Resolve Curated by Tony Curanaj

Transcription

1 Resolve Curated by Tony Curanaj

2 Resolve Curated by Tony Curanaj January 26 - February 25, 2012 Opening Reception: Thursday January 26, 6-9 pm For inquiries please contact: info@joshualinergallery.com

3 Resolve Joshua Liner Gallery is pleased to present Resolve, an exhibition of 25 emerging and established artists whose work is rooted in classical art traditions and training. In rendering the figure, still life, or landscape subject, this illustrious group (including 22 painters, 2 sculptors, and 1 photographer) expresses a collective interest in classical art forms with a variety of distinct and decidedly contemporary voices. As the first in a series of annual artist-curated exhibitions at Joshua Liner Gallery, Resolve is organized by gallery artist Tony Curanaj and includes works by the following artists: Anthony Waichulis, Brad Kunkle, Christopher Gallego, Dan Thompson, David Kassan, Edward Minoff, Graydon Parrish, Jacob Collins, Jacob A. Pfeiffer, Jefferson Hayman, Jeremy Mann, Kate Lehman, Kim Cogan, Kris Kuksi, Kris Lewis, Lee Misenheimer, Michael Grimaldi, Rob Leecock, Scott Waddell, Shawn Smith, Shawn Barber, Steven Assael, Tony Curanaj, Travis Schlaht, Will Wilson Though considered divergent from the postwar developments of Pop, Conceptual, and Minimalist art (among others), the curriculum of classical art training with its emphasis on skill and the realistic depiction of the figure, still life, and lanscape has nevertheless continued to evolve through the interests and talents of contemporary artists. Creating on the fringes of graduate-school art programs and modern art theory, these intrepid practitioners of traditional art forms and techniques have kept them alive and vibrant, while reinterpreting them through the social and visual culture of their time. Such influences as Van Eyck, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt, as well as Klimt, Degas, and the pre-raphaelites, to name but a few, can be discerned in many of the figure and portrait paintings and drawings collected here. The gestures, settings, and mood, however, are entirely of the moment, emphasizing the evergreen nature of classical training and its capacity to adapt to whatever arises, from tattoo culture to contemporary graphic design. Vestiges of Turner, Eakins, and other masters are also apparent in the landscape and figurative works included, but elsewhere one can see the boundary-pushing daring of more recent and contemporary figures such as Andrew Wyeth, Antonio López García, and Odd Nerdrum. Among the painters featured, all work in traditional media, most employing oils or egg tempera on canvas, linen, or panel. The sculptors choose from more unorthodox materials, such as toy figurines and dyed blocks of wood, while continuing a dialogue with their time through the tools and history of realism. The founders, teachers, or graduates of such influential institutions as the Water Street Atelier, Grand Central Academy of Art, New York Academy of Art, Ani Art Academy, and Janus Collaborative School of Art are included in the exhibition. In their masterful hands, the tendency toward realism serves a fresh, new generation of artists in capturing their disparate worlds, lives, and vision. According to curator-artist Tony Curanaj: This exhibition of colleagues and influences reflects a relatively narrow but varied slice of the art world, and presents it to an audience that may not be exposed to this segment of contemporary art practice. The title Resolve speaks of their determination and progression, qualities that imbue each of these works with beauty and technical virtuosity. From concept to execution, these contemporary masters of their craft are completely engaged in the artist s process and an artistic direction that is unwavering, regardless of fashion or trend.

4 Anthony Waichulis A Summer Affair, 2011 Oil on canvas 7 x 5 in.

5 Brad Kunkle The Quickening, 2010 Oil, gold leaf on canvas 44 x 22 in.

6 Christopher Gallego Studio Interior, 2011 Oil on canvas 51 x 39 in.

7 Dan Thompson Bewitched, 2009 Oil on canvas 18 x 28 in.

8 David Kassan Rust, 2012 Oil on panel 16 x 25 in.

9 Edward Minoff Untamed, 2012 Oil, gold on linen 24 x 36 in.

10 Graydon Parrish Study of Carmen Dell Orefice, 2011 White chalk, charcoal on paper 22.5 x 17.5 in.

11 Jacob Collins Interior III, 2009 Oil on canvas 12 x 16 in.

12 Jacob A. Pfeiffer Nesting, 2012 Oil on panel 8 x 8 in.

13 Jefferson Hayman Various works Limited edition photographic prints

14 Jeremy Mann Below the 80 in Blue, 2011 Oil on canvas 36 x 36 in.

15 Kate Lehman Not Forgotten, 2004 Oil on canvas 26 x 32 in.

16 Kim Cogan American Dream, 2011 Oil on canvas 36 x 24 in.

17 Kris Kuksi Portrait of an Iris, 2011 Acrylic on panel 12 x 6 in.

18 Kris Kuksi The Surrender of Helios, 2011 Mixed media assemblage 27 x 32 x 8 in.

19 Kris Lewis Inlet, 2012 Oil on canvas 16 x 12 in.

20 Lee Misenheimer Fuck You Unicorns, 2012 Graphite, gouache on paper 22 x 30 in.

21 Michael Grimaldi Portrait of Trinette, 2011 Oil on canvas 18 x 14 in.

22 Rob Leecock Tiger, 2011 Graphite on paper 10 x 8 in.

23 Scott Waddell Half World, 2011 Oil on canvas 24 x 18 in.

24 Shawn Smith Spurious Skulk, 2011 Bass wood, Balsa wood, ink, acrylic 34 x 21 x 12 in.

25 Shawn Barber Freddy Corbin s Temple (Study), 2012 Oil on canvas 10 x 8 in.

26 Steven Assael Untitled (Superman), 2006 Oil on canvas 40 x 30 in.

27 Steven Assael Kirsten, 2010 Oil on panel 14 x 11 in.

28 Tony Curanaj Nouveau Red, 2011 Oil on canvas 18 x 36 in.

29 Tony Curanaj Perched, 2011 Oil on canvas 10 x 7 in.

30 Travis Schlaht Anticipation, 2011 Oil on linen 9 x 12 in.

31 Will Wilson Grapes, 2010 Oil on panel 5.75 x 8 in.

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