Cautious Progress, oil on canvas, 40”x64” 2010

Tumultuous Paradise, oil on canvas, 60”x72”, 2010

Bursting Motion, oil on canvas, 48”x70” 2010

Ardent Phenomenon, 90”x108”, oil on canvas, 2008

Budget, oil on wood 12”x18”, 2010

Artist Statement
My work investigates a world of visual intoxication, it captures moments of enchantment which are associated with urban nightlife. I am fascinated by the ambiance of the city at night and its seductive qualities. The breathtaking turbulence of speeding vehicles and hasty pedestrians evoke feelings of wonder and disorientation. The vibrant lights become a magical landscape with enticing opportunities and promises of fulfillment.

In our seemingly content society there is a struggle to achieve greater levels of enjoyment. We explore various environments and activities in search of pleasure. Extravagant lights of night environments seduce us to participate in curious events, enticing us to experience new forms of satisfaction.

In my oil paintings I aim to capture various atmospheres that occur in such environments. Through observation and documentation I assemble images which become visual tools for my paintings. I concentrate on how the mind perceives and evaluates surroundings while under the influence of a social climate.

I recreate the feeling of dizziness and confusion by letting the paint blur and allowing shapes to dissolve. I suggest motion in order to slow down the scene and capture the fleeting moments which tend to be forgotten. By interpreting lights in graphic or painterly ways, I create a sense of space, alluding to a hallucinogenic experience. I intensify the sense of motion with the use of quick vigorous lines and sharp perspectives. I want the viewer’s eye to travel within my composition and experience a familiar exhilarating event of an actual nightly excursion.

Website
http://www.alexandrapacula.com/

Exhibit
Currently showing at Mighty Tanaka gallery until March 12.

Artist Statement
My work has focused on the challenge of taking painting to another level where it blends with sculpture and installation.  Using methods of constructing and deconstructing, I am constantly re-using and re-purposing my artwork.  One series literally leads to another, where previous series of works are cut, torn and sewn back together again into new series of works which may again be reconstructed into yet another art form.  The past always present in the current and future works, they tell a story of my progression as an Artist, and question the finality of Art.

I often use word play, theatrics and general political topics as a way to communicate opinions that ultimately define an observation about the Art world itself.  Recently I have been interested in involving the audience more in the decision making of the deconstruction process.  I am working on three series currently, “The Chopping Block,” “Bits & Pieces” and “Hung Out to Dry.”  All of these works have been influenced by my changes of situation during this Recession.  I will soon be posting works to viewers in order to get their opinion on what works will remain intact, and what will ultimately be “destroyed” or transformed into a new life as another form of Art.

Website
http://cmasseyart.wordpress.com/

“Hippomenes,” Oil on Canvas, 40″ x 52″

“The Birth of Venus,” Oil on Canvas, 64″ x 36″ 1995

Statement of Intent
The Greek myths embody everything that is timeless about the human experience. They reveal truths and acknowledge mysteries. They survive in the subconscious of Western man to the point that to learn about them is to experience a shock of recognition. They have been a successful vehicle for man’s pursuit of self knowledge for countless generations, which is the reason I have chosen to make yet another interpretation of them through my paintings. Each generation has been inspired to a unique interpretation, and I have tried to present the old myths in a new way, showing all the irony and conflict of the modern world. The figures are contemporary, but the situations are ancient. It is a way of saying,”we are new, but we are old,” “we are young, but we must die”. History continually humbles the arrogance of man. The Greek myths tell us that this is our fate as well as our redemption.

Website
http://johnwoodrowkelley.com/

Found, Gowanus, 2009
oil, pastel and wallpaper
18 x 22 inches

Along the Way, 2008
pastel on paper
31.25x 69.25 inches

Horizontal Triptych II, 2009
oil on linen
30 x 36 inches

Book, 2008
7 layer/14 impression silk screen
25 x 33

Artist Statement
The complexity of the art world is curious, it has spawned many different artists in so many directions in the last century. Looking back I discovered that the direction I related to is “. . .free art from the burden of object.” — Kasimir Malevich. I appreciate the pure and simple aesthetic and I have always related to a spontaneous approach to painting and printmaking.

Website
http://www.artbrooklyn.com

Erasure

Metal on Metal

Vanishing

Artist Statement

This is about the intersection of man-made environment and nature: nature reclaiming the space appropriated by man.

This is not abstract art. This is nature photography / Close-ups from the urban environment.

The art of small things – things you have to get close to – bend or kneel down to observe, because small things require extra effort from the viewer.

Time: Take the time to look around. Beauty is hiding everywhere.

Time: All things must pass / slow decay from the elements.

(Re)discovering the psychedelic nature of reality. Notice the tiny, insignificant details that are part of the daily environment.

Discover the tiny universes hiding in plain sight everywhere – tune into the noise your mind has learned to cancel out in order to become more efficient.

“What is it?” is not the question – what matters is what the viewer projects.

Website
http://danielabrahamphoto.com/

“Pile of Homes”
2009
Mixed media
4′ x 5′ x 4′

“The New”
2008
Mixed media on canvas
36″ x 48″

Artist Statement
What appears simple just demands a different kind of patience than what is scraggly and complex.

Website
http://malinabrahamsson.com