Current Exhibition (Middle Gallery)

June 1- July 21, 2012

In the Trying: New Paintings by Sandy Chism

Sandy Chism, Climb, 2011 oil on canvas, 40" x 30"

In the Trying, the new series of oil paintings by Sandy Chism, opened to a warm reception on the June 2nd Art Walk and will remain on view in the Middle Gallery until July 21st.

 

For this exhibition, Chism has used as inspiration the photographs of 19th Century German artists Bernd and Hilla Becher, who are most well known for their images of civic and industrial structures that are highly engineered and massively solid. Chism states of this series:

I was more attracted to the Becher's images of late 19th century coal tipples for their completely opposite qualities. 

I am mainly attracted to the makeshift, cobbled together building approach of the tipples. They don't hide their making, like most structures do. They are purely utilitarian so consequently their beauty honest--straightforward. What's more, the visible construction makes them accessible, one can imagine building something similar. (As children, we were always building tree houses, trying to find a way to get higher, above it all--both practically and metaphorically). Like we built our tree houses, they mainly used what was available, some rudimentary engineering and made the structure fit the space. Plus, the tipples were much stronger than they looked. And while NOW they look derelict and skeletal, they HAVE stayed standing regardless of their jury-rigging for over 100 years. So they stand as residue of leaps of faith. Making do with a little and harvesting a lot. 

The title "In the Trying" has a dual meaning. In one way, when people just TRY then life, energy, spirit loves to help things along. In another way, it refers to being IN trying times, trial by fire etc. So both dismal and hopeful.

 Another thing, the structures have lots of open space, negative space seen through them, They are permeable which I see as the utmost model for human existence. Staying open, letting things in and letting things go.

  to read In the Trying Press Release

to read Sandy Chism's full bio and statement on this series

 

Upcoming Exhibition (Middle Gallery)

July 25- August 25, 2012

omissions: New Portraits by Stephen Hoskins

 

Jonathan Ferrara Gallery is proud to announce omissions, a new series of portraits by Stephen Hoskins.  This will be Hoskins' second solo exhibition at the gallery, and will open in conjunction with Whitney White Linen Night; Saturday, August 4.

Stephen Hoskins is a native New Orleanian.  He received his BFA from Ohio Wesleyan University and his MFA from Washington University in St. Louis.  Stephen is a visiting professor at Saint Louis University since the Fall of 2009.  He is well-known for his ethereal portraiture, which capture essential truths about their subjects often by suggestion as well as rendering.

Hoskins says of this series:

Portraiture depends on the identification of a particular person.  "omissions" is a body of work in which I am exploring what information is necessary to capture an individual.  For me, this series of work is learning how I can approach making the figure differently when editing out major features.  I want to know from the viewer what degree of information he or she takes in looking at a partial portrait.

Stephen Hoskins recently had a solo exhibition at The Ethical Society, St. Louis, and his work was included in the Juried Group Exhibition Irene Rosenzweig 2011 Biennial Exhibition inPine Bluff, AR. His work is scheduled to appear in the upcoming show Reconfigure: Transformations of the Body at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette, from August 11 through October 13.

Pictured above: Angela Berry, Birdstorm, 2007  (modified with reflection and map of St. Claude)

  
Jonathan Ferrara Gallery is excited to announce the lineup of artists for our upcoming exhibition, St. Claude.  Opening in conjunction with the annual Whitney White Linen Night event, this  multi-media group show will feature artists who are active in the burgeoning St. Claude Arts District scene and those who live in that area.

The St. Claude Arts District is a vibrant artist-driven group of exhibition spaces located in the St. Claude area of New Orleans.  Artist studios, collectives, cooperatives and performance spaces populate this area and offer some of the most innovative, experimental, and emerging art taking place in New Orleans.  Organic and grass roots, the spaces on St. Claude draw thousands to their monthly (second Saturday) openings.  The spaces can run the gamut from very raw to somewhat refined, but they give young artists venues to showcase their creative visions, often for the first time anywhere.  The creative energy on St. Claude is palpable and these  spaces provide an essential breeding ground for the next generation of emerging artists as well as venues for more established artists to take risks that aren't possible in more commercial galleries.

By presenting the exhibition of White Linen Night which draws over 50,000 people to the Warehouse District and Julia Street, Ferrara aims to shine a bright spotlight on the talents that exist on St. Claude with the hopes of generating even more interest in the exciting scene taking place there.  The St. Claude Arts District has grown tremendously over the past five years, especially under the inspiration of Prospect New Orleans Biennial founded by curator Dan Cameron.  St.Claude, the exhibition will present the work of thirteen artists works, some that are well-known and others who will show for the first time on Julia Street. It is an exciting time for art in and from New Orleans and Jonathan Ferrara Gallery's White Linen Night exhibition is sure to demonstrate that. 

St. Claude will include new works by artists including:

Angela Berry / T-LOT
Hannah Chalew / T-LOT
Kiernan Dunn / The Aquarium Gallery
Generic Art Solutions (G.A.S.) / Good Children Gallery
James W. Goedert / Antenna Gallery
Brian Guidry / Good Children Gallery
Stephen Kwok / T-LOT
Malcolm McClay / Good Children Gallery
Michael Pajon / Michael Pajon Studio
Christopher Saucedo / Good Children Gallery
Bob Snead / Antenna Gallery
Dan Tague - Good Children Gallery

*Please note that the St. Claude Art Walk takes place the 2nd Saturday of each month, including tomorrow, July 14th*

to view a list of St. Claude Arts District's events and openings, as well a the full list of St. Claude galleries

to preview a selection of works for upcoming St. Claude show at JFG

to read full interview with Hannah Chalew in Pelican Bomb

to view artwork by Hannah Chalew