Were you alright yesterday?
January 31–March 9, 2003 320 West 13th Street
Press Release
Were you alright yesterday?, curated by Monya Rowe
This exhibition presents the work of seven emerging artists who are exploring everyday social insecurities and discomfort resulting from banal events. Painting, drawing and installation depict invented characters and reveal their complex subconscious thoughts. While the emotions addressed are somewhat unpleasant, the artists in this exhibition temper the somber with a comical and warm approach.
Kevin Christy’s mixed media drawings juxtapose nature and longing with the seemingly unfulfilling routine of working in a corporate environment. Objects such as ties, floating chairs and eyeglasses serve as symbols of office life. Nils Karsten explores trust through a series of ambiguous drawings of a girl in apparently uncomfortable and awkward facial poses. While it is not clear if it is her own hands or someone else’s manipulating her face, the subject appears at ease with the lack of control. Jeff Ladouceur reveals frustrations and discomfort in surreal drawings that resemble old-time comics. His detailed and colorless subjects take the viewer around unexpected turns. Libby McInnis creates sculptural installations out of cardboard, paint, and wood. Her pieces often invite the viewer to participate in the unraveling of a story by inviting one to pull a mock mechanical lever. In the work presented here, the viewer participates in the violent outcome provoked by spousal rape. Taylor McKimens presents an installation infusing drawing with sculpture. His work often uses inviting colors to investigate the possibility of attraction to unpleasant, even ugly, images. Rebecca Westcott presents a series of paintings revealing the awkward moment of having one’s photo taken. Her subjects, young urban females clad in modern dress, appear slightly weathered and unsure of themselves. Ben Woodward addresses social groups and personal experiences through colorful gouache paintings on wood with meticulous linear brush strokes. He often paints invented animal hybrids to represent actual people and incidents.
About the curator: Monya Rowe is a New York City based independent curator. She has curated Hello Schoolgirls! (featuring Taylor McKimens, Martin Mull, Jacki Tough, Neil Farber, Clayton Brothers, Mike Cockrill and Jessie Vala) at Brooklyn’s Fish Tank Gallery in 2001, and but i wuv you (featuring Kevin Christy, Jeri Coppola, Lisa Fain, Mary-Beth Gregg, Mark Mothersbaugh and Ben Woodward) at 31 Grand in Brooklyn in 2002.
This exhibition runs concurrently with White Room exhibitions by JJ Garfinkel and Oona Stern.
Opening Reception: Friday January 31, 7 – 9 p.m.
Gallery Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 12 – 6 p.m.
For more information, please contact the gallery.
