EWA BANAS EWA BANAS “RHAPSODY of the HeARTopia”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Claude Monet mused, “Nature won’t be summoned to order and won’t be kept waiting. It must be caught, well caught.” Inspired by this proclamation is Southampton, NY artist Ewa Banas whose incandescent heaven-on-earth landscapes commemorate the majesty of nature as she immortalizes the permanence of our natural world. With an unparalleled ability to capture the essence and spirit of the terrain, she channels Impressionist inspirations into her splendiferous depictions of pastoral vistas. Through a spectral color palette, she invites contemplation of the lusciousness of the land as she fuses the imagery of nature with the sensation and emotionality of powerful painterly expressions. Wishing to enshrine that which is beautiful, she freezes joyful scenarios and offers a permanent remembrance of charming moments that inspire through their peaceful serenity. Encapsulating the evanescent temporality of nature, Ms. Banas’ landscape paintings act as indexical symbols as she captures metaphorical shapes and forces from the terrain. Her exuberant topography subjects explore the expanse of nature, showcasing the national essence of the North East. By highlighting the phenomenon that majestically define our native soil, her sunlit serene landscapes express the sublime rejuvenation of experiencing the natural world. The powerful energy of nature’s divine grace is magnified by her expressive color palette, in which the balance of bright and muted tones creates a dynamic rhythm and vivid sense of space. The resulting images conjure up a world that feels utterly believable and real, while remaining part of the artist’s inner, personal vision. The effervescent forces of nature fuse together in her opulent landscapes in which she invites the viewer on a journey among tranquil outdoor scenes and asserts her mastery over color and form by elevating the landscape from just visual to immersive, sensational experiences.
“Bethesda Fountain In Winter Morning” Pastel 14” x 19.5”
Ewa Banas’ compositions anthropomorphize into a spiritual harmony uniting humankind with the universe as her artworks become meditative portals for viewers to imagine and mediate. Through these labyrinthine creations, she transports the viewer to a natural paradise where one may contemplate the power, purity and sanctity of nature. Manifesting a sacred connection with nature, Ms. Banas imbues her bountiful canvases with a spirit of freedom, resonating with visual majesty and sublime power. An emotional quality is transmitted which becomes the true essence of her impressionist style of painting, using the medium of paint and canvas to become a symbol of one’s emotions about the natural landscape. Both modern and timeless, Ms. Banas’ evanescent compositions provide beauty and inspiring concepts as she commemorates the splendor of nature and immortalizes the permanence of our natural world. The award-winning artist Ewa Banas showcases her artwork in group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States and Europe. Her artwork is treasured in public and private collections worldwide, and Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is proud to showcase the landscape works of this contemporary star.
PHILIP CATANIA
PHILIP CATANIA “COLLECTORS’ CHOICE”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
“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.
“Incognito” Oil on Canvas 12.5” x 12.5”
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. Bright, powerful, and joyous, Philip Catania’s paintings are a beautiful image of nature transmuted into the color and texture of dreams. World-wide celebrated and collected, the modern masterpieces of Philip Catania were showcased in three major Paris exhibitions in 2014 and his fame has catapulted him to international stature. Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is proud and overjoyed to shine the spotlight on Philip Catania!
CORA CRONEMEYER
CORA CRONEMEYER “COLLECTORS’ CHOICE”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Inspired by Paul Cezanne’s philosophy,”When the color achieves richness, the form attains its fullness also,” New York-based Cora Cronemeyer expresses a powerful visceral vision in her abstracted colorwheel compositions as she intermixes a bold sense of line, kaleidoscopic hues and movement. Masterfully orchestrating a dramatic visual syntax, her dazzling acrylic oeuvre brilliantly metamorphs to become a prismatic labyrinth of spectral colors that are compositionally rewarding. A commanding gestalt radiates a saturated fantasia color palette with exuberant hues which are juxtaposed for visual prominence, resulting in a dynamic oeuvre overflowing with overwhelming bursts of color.
“Struggling Through” Acrylic on Paper 22” x 30.5”
A visionary creator, Cora Cronemeyer is a master colorist painter in her own expressive and painterly idiom, and is a proponent of the power of the gestural stroke. Vividly free flowing and wondrously fluid in motion, her mosaic compositions are accented with a chromatic syntax radiating colorful pops of fantasia-hued tones.These chromatic threads of color attain optical beauty and are at once rhythmic, interdynamic and cacophonous, creating a dense network of shapes and forms which richly convey a passion for life. Expressing abstract concepts, each intricate image suggests a spontaneous joie de vivre and reverberate with a powerful sense of visual energy. Ms. Cronemeyer’s arrangements of dramatic shapes and robust color do not convey the way we look in reality, because there is no way to represent what creates each one of us. Rather, her magnifying glass reflects the point and counterpoints of the human psyche as the viewer is drawn deeper into this dazzling universe of color and shape. Boldly and firmly embracing her individuality, Cora Cronemeyer’s paintings push the bounds of creation, as her oeuvre enters the realms of the extraordinary and leaves an indelible mark on the viewer. Modulating her palette, there is a palpable presence, providing each work with a powerful physicality.
Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24
DIEGO SALADO DIEGO SALADO “HeARTphoria”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Abstract Expressionist artist Mark Rothko declared, “I am interested only in expressing basic human emotion.” Contemporary master artist Diego Salado’s work follows in this emotional emphasis through its demure palette and explosive motion. Exploring the amorphous concept of form, Mr. Salado’s paintings blend sharp focus and obscured detail in order to create a depth of field that tricks and pleases the eye, allowing the viewer to form a deep, spiritual connection with the vast and seemingly endless space depicted within. Diego Salado’s oeuvre takes viewers on a visual odyssey between dream and reality, offering just enough ever shifting detail to blur the lines of how each obfuscated image is experienced. This beautifully executed and lovingly rendered style creates a realm unto itself that transcends expectation, seemingly changing at every second glance to create something wholly new to experience and enjoy. These expressive abstract portraits of nature, reflect the powerful foundations of emotion expressed through a saturated color palette and dynamic brushwork. With darkened backgrounds, brilliant strokes of light greens, and blues mimic the delicate streaming of moonlight through stained glass. For Diego Salado the spatial existences of his canvases are not composed through geometric forms but through the energetic ease of opulent brushwork imitating the billowing currents of nature. His dynamic style burgeons through a brilliant color palette of primary colors juxtaposed with darkened shadows. Color and texture formally energize one’s relationship with his abstract compositions, and in turn, produce an emotional effect within the mind, body and soul. By layering splatters, drips or even flinging specks of paint onto the canvas, texture expands the two-dimensional canvas and enters the space of the audience. Through texture, Diego Salado’s paintings command presence and elicit responses from its viewers, focusing on the extensive relationships between line, form, color and texture and his colorful, non-objective canvases which symbolize the dynamic and exciting ways one can experience a visceral response.
“The Protector” Oil on Canvas 48” x 36”
The Spanish Born, New York Based artist participates in solo and group exhibitions in Spain, The United States and throughout Europe. Diego Salado’s artwork boasts placements in private collections and public institutions in New York City. The contemporary master Don Diego Salado has attained international stature and acclaim as an outstanding painter of royal portraiture, in terms of recreating royal crests and coats of arms , from the middle ages and the renaissance. He is also an unsurpassed master and creator of royal medals, medallions and decorations which are on permanent exhibition at Amsterdam Whitney Gallery. Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is proud to shine the spotlight on this preeminent contemporary master artist.
LUCILE DRISKELL LUCILE DRISKELL “COLLECTORS’ CHOICE”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Wassily Kandinsky mused: “The more abstract its form, the more clear and direct its appeal.” The striking abstract compositions of Lucile Driskell illustrate this principle through her dazzling non-representational wood reliefs and mono prints. Employing minimalist artistic language integrated with pure geometry, Ms. Driskell explains that her abstract compositions are always “created with the beauty of shape in mind,” reflecting an aesthetic expression channeled through precise design elements. Intermingling combinations of colors tones to create diverse image variations, her geometrical-based color filled constructivist mixed media wood reliefs and mono prints are amplified by constructed objects. Lucile Driskell’s artistic vision focuses primarily on the boundary between what is internal and external, posing a perceptual visual riddle. Thus the play with geometrical elements, which may at first sight seen more like a search for the perfect combination of colorful solid geometrical bodies, acquires an altogether different visual vitality. Boldly and firmly embracing her individuality as an artist, Lucile Driskell’s wall constructions and sculptures are known for their highly disciplined art form and cool surgical precision of craftsmanship. Existing on their own aesthetic terms, her elegant and restrained wood reliefs and mono prints reveal an energized spatial composition, by exploring dimensions through layering simple shapes and juxtaposing them against expressive color. Contrasting organic forms create complex relationships as they overlap within an abstracted dynamic background, and there is a subtle change of color and density as her hard-edge band styled produces vibrations and illusions of spatial expansion. Cool and expert, Ms. Driskell judiciously planned geometric paintings coordinate a close color rapport with considerable finesse, and her spectral colors exist independently in space, without altering the over-all forms of the surface, or the complexities of the structure itself. With a contemporary visual vocabulary, Lucile Driskell’s pristine oeuvre manifests the dynamic geometric placement of colors and shapes in a carefully controlled aesthetic environment. Building an atmosphere with simple, clean lines and limited blocks of color, this gifted artist utilizes the rectilinear and organic shapes in hues, ranging from burnt sienna to deep shades of maroon, each form and shape supersedes the previous one. By transforming the geometric simplicity of shapes into complex spaces with bold, colored forms, design comes together to create an active image where line, color and form coalesce and float freely in space, creating a complex relationship between the individual elements and the overall composition.
“Duet” Wood and Ceramic 41” x 17” x 9”
Beautiful and sophisticated, Lucile Driskell’s masterful work intellectualizes a visual harmony where colorful, sharply controlled, angular shapes are playfully executed within a rhythmic spatial composition. Working in many mediums, including painting, painted reliefs, as well as sculpture, Lucile Driskell complements her exhibit with small sculptures which reflect on a smaller scale her much larger works. These sculptures convey the same concentric geometric shapes which are transferred to three-dimensional forms.
ANN GORES ANN GORES “COLLECTORS’ CHOICE”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Henri Rousseau proclaimed, “When I go out into the countryside and see the sun and the green and everything flowering, I say to myself, yes indeed, all that belongs to me! Nothing makes me so happy as to observe nature and to paint what I see.” Washington artist Ann Gores enlivens visual surroundings through an adept design template treating equally the importance of line and color, burgeoning delicate forms from dynamic linear outlines exaggerated through formative pools of brilliant hues. Her technical skills as a draftsman of lines as well as a painter of color theory allows her to transform nature into her own fantastical image, visually treating a now urbanized contemporary culture by expressing the vibrancy, vivacity and energy of the natural world never out of reach through active imagination. By capturing the evanescent temporality of nature, her art extracts the dynamism of natural fauna and interprets its vibrancy correlating the direct link between nature and human emotion, organic landscapes and floral paintings are powerful reminders of the importance of the majesty of nature. Declaring the beauty and strength of our environment, her art underscores that nature is universal and can be experienced by everyone, as she reminds us that the natural elements that are accessible to all. With her unique ability to use color to achieve ethereal clarity, this Washington stated artist captures fragments of eternity and freezes them to achieve illuminated visual contemplation. Successfully distilling a singular scene into a single moment in time, achieves a delicate balance by probing an inner depth and a dynamic power of imagery, resulting in an emotive and aesthetically memorable scene.
“Carmel by the Sea” Oil on Canvas 12” x 16”
Bright, buoyant and full of life, Ann Gores depicts nature at its best. Brilliantly combining both efforts, her line enlivens saturated pools of color, and in turn the vivacity in extraordinary hues energizes organically fluid strokes. This symbiosis and ideal order in formal composition bursts into the subject matter itself: the idealized natural world. Continuing the tradition of the French Masters, Anne Gores transforms the natural world around her, making it an image reflecting the powers of the imagination, towards an otherworldly presentation fit for expansive explorations of the celebration of nature. Ms. Gores invites viewers to share in an effervescent glimpse of a deli rendered in the second order color palette of green, orange and violet. Ms. Gores does not limit her compositions to the natural world, but expands the world, breaking boundaries and exceeding the limits of mere representation, enacting viewers to realize their own ability for visual autonomy and ownership of an imagination that exceeds the rational drive of urbanization. One realizes and takes advantage of the simplistic capability for imaginative exploration through visual imagery in Ms. Gores’ dazzling compositions. Translating onto canvas the ephemeral moment of nature, award-winning painter Ann Gores has participated in a lifetime of immersion in the arts, culminating in a wonderful body of work and has embarked on a painting career which has catapulted her into a meaningful position in the contemporary art arena. Ms. Gores she has enjoyed numerous successful exhibitions throughout Europe and the U.S., and the presence of her works in prestigious collections across the world, is affirmation of her continually expanding reputation.
ANDREA HARRIS ANDREA HARRIS “COLLECTORS’ CHOICE”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
“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’ 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.
“ILLUSION” Oil and Cold Wax on Canvas 24” x 24”
Internationally recognized as a painter, an educator and an art lecturer, Andrea Harris’s masterful landscapes have catapulted her to national and international recognition to become one of the most celebrated landscape artists. Brilliantly translating onto canvas with a syncopated beat the magnificence of nature, award-winning painter Andrea Harris has participated in a lifetime of immersion in the arts, culminating in an outstanding body of work. Ms. Harris has been honored to participate in prestigious residencies in Italy and in France, and this Chicago-based artist has enjoyed numerous successful exhibitions throughout Europe and the U.S. The presence of her works in prestigious collections across the world is affirmation of her continually expanding reputation.
ADRIENNE KYROS ADRIENNE KYROS “COLLECTORS’ CHOICE”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Aristotle observed that “Art not only imitates nature, but also completes its deficiencies.” Following a long tradition of nature-inspired art, Contemporary Master Adrienne Kyros explores the sensorial legacy of nature as she continues man’s profound quest to find beauty in our natural terrain. This Illinois-based virtuosic, master’s landscape floral and still life paintings capture the beauty of nature in an unusual way, offering color- filled reveries featuring an imaginative, fresh, expressionistic perspective. Illuminating the natural world, her diverse oeuvre captures visions of earthly delight which radiate superlative color and light, becoming artistic dialogues which reveal the essence of the environment and focus on the joys of Mother Nature. Commemorating the glories of nature and immortalizing the permanence of our natural world, Adrienne Kyros transposes transplendent re-interpretations of nature-inspired realms. Traveling world-wide, her magnificent translations of the external realm are rendered in her signature neo-expressionistic style. By inviting the viewer on a visual voyage to such exciting locales as Greece, New Mexico and Arizona, she transports us to idyllic, iconic locations through her vivid color palette, tantalizing texture, and radiant luminescence.
“Cerro Pedernal Peak, NM” Watercolor and Ink on Paper 30” x 37.5”
Painting a paradise on earth, Ms. Kyros enshrines that which is beautiful and skillfully balances this narrative with a superb formal technique utilizing a brilliant color palette. A dazzling kaleidoscopic color-wheel of sun-kissed hues implode with punches of warm red, verdant green and sun-dappled golden rod yellows which add depth and movement to the striking vistas. Her dreamscapes’ colors burst forth from the canvas with an explosive and effervescent charm as these environs dazzle the eye. A tantalizing interplay of light and shadow radiate the sun-kissed scenes imbuing her joyful paintings with ambrosial effects. Adrienne Kyros’ efflorescent dreamscapes are a reaffirmation of the aesthetic joys of the outdoors, providing serenity and harmony with our universe. Both modern and timeless, Adrienne Kyros’ tableaus become incandescent icons to the lyricisms of nature, reflecting a contemporary approach of style and technique. The incandescent paintings of Adrienne Kyros result in modern masterpieces which invite the viewer to inhale the divine beauty of nature and exhale its sensations, allowing us to celebrate the joys of our universe. Cultivating a strong reputation in the national art world, her artwork is treasured in prestigious public and private collections. Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is delighted to shine the spotlight on this contemporary star and showcase her stellar work.
MARLOW MAR
MARLOW MAR “ROMANCING The ABSTRACT”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Influenced by William Shakespeare who declared: “One touch of nature....makes all the world kin,” international artist Marlow Mar’s incandescent mixed media on silk landscape art translates the essence of Chinese nature painting into American dreamscapes. Universal in its appeal, Marlow Mar’s multi-cultural body of work represents a distinct bridge between the world that shaped his vision and a new life that he is present in now. Interjecting the emotional tones of traditional Chinese painting with ethereal optical landscape projections, he inspires human contemplation on the experiences of nature. Elegantly intermixing a dazzling pastel color palette with dynamic brushstrokes, ranging from fluid organic lines with explosive bursts of color, his lyrical oeuvre harmoniously morphs into dazzling compositions, encouraging viewers to examine themes of the external realm.
“The Breeze” Mixed Media on Silk 24” x 24”
Transcending words for the pure expressionism conveyed by nature, Marlow Mar’s luminous paintings highlight the depths of the terrestrial world with beautiful compositions, resulting in the harmonious synthesis of translucent color and textural brushstrokes. With a penetrating incandescence, his work communicates an inner tangibility with the external realm and speaks volumes of the human spirit. Amidst atmospheric pools of brilliant spectral hues, his oeuvre emerges into saturated multivalent color hues ascending into threedimensional space through topographical layers of tones. Communicating the emotions of nature, Mr. Mar’s labyrinthine light and feathery brushstrokes invite the viewer to connect intimately, both intellectually and emotionally, with the terrestrial realm. His masterful oeuvre magnetically draws viewers inward, encouraging contemplation into the mysterious vision of nature as he organically reveals the invisible within the visible of our external world. Emblematic of the perfect synthesis between color, shape and texture, Marlow Mar visually articulates the sublime balance of nature with a heightened sense of creative energy coupled with an individualistic approach. Award-winning painter Marlow Mar works and resides in both California and China and has exhibited extensively throughout the world. The recipient of numerous global distinctions and awards, his paintings are treasured in New York, California, and China. Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is proud to shine the spotlight on this contemporary star.
Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24
LORRAINE STRIEBY LORRAINE STRIEBY “HeART & SOUL”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Marc Chagall asserted: “Mozart never composed anything, ever! He copied what was written on his soul.” Following this credo, California artist Lorraine Strieby incorporates the writing on the souls of musicians and cities alike to create her chromatic, surrealist, figurative cityscape mixed media works, imbuing them with a deep, creative whimsical power that permeates every inch of canvas, her oeuvre reflects a universal appeal. Inspired by the Southwest, Los Angeles-the City of Angels- Jazz, and the whimsy of life, Lorraine Strieby’s recent “City of Angels” series shines the spotlight on the fascinating lifestyle and joie de vivre of Los Angeles life- its people and their locations. A Southwest spirit saturates her canvases as she expresses whimsy by giving homage to things that are ordinary. It is easy to hear music in her canvases, the palette and the shapes working in concert to embolden the subject matter, allowing us to hear the music in the air as we amble down the streets of Los Angles or travel to Bourbon Street. This lively, vivacious style draws the viewer into the magical world of music and dancing contained within. Passionate about shimmering colors and glimmering metals, Lorraine Strieby’s mixed media works sparkle with energy and life. Each individual canvas contains a narrative of its own, a story for the viewer to interpret and enjoy. Ms. Strieby’s own love of music informs her orchestral style, adding layers to each form and figure where they synchronize beautifully, creating a cohesive composition wherein the viewer is invited to enjoy the journey of music and rhythm. Color and motion fuse to create kinetic works of art that move as fluidly as a jazz band plays together, each bit of syncopation combining to make the overall mood all the sweeter. Ms. Strieby’s bold colors and bright, clean lines radiate a joyous environment that revels in its own creation. “I am fascinated by shapes and patterns and depict this in my cityscapes. The challenge of capturing jazz on paper, with all its intricate moods, feelings and rhythms also inspires me,” says Lorraine Strieby of her process. The obstacle of turning music into visual art is met with bold color and deeply intimate linework, creating a successful amalgamation of the two distinct artistic genres. Ms. Strieby’s vibrant imagination coupled with her masterful technique creates exciting, daring pieces that turn simple concepts into dazzling, visual locales that capture the mind and invite us to dance along to their rhythm.
“Right On Key” Mixed Media on Canvas 30” x 22”
Crowning a lifetime to achievements, Lorraine Strieby was the featured Original Creative Artist of the West Virginia University Children’s Hospital Float in the January 1, 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade, in Pasadena, CA, with a float entitled “Wild and Wonderful.” In addition, Ms. Strieby is the recent recipient of the Botticelli Prize and traveled to Florence, Italy to receive this honor. On top of all these accolades, she is also the noted author of multiple children’s books entitled: “The Molly McMole” Book series. Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is proud to shine the spotlight on this International California Art Star!
Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24
NICOLE TAILLON
NICOLE TAILLON “HeART & SOUL”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
The sculptor Auguste Rodin observed, “Art is contemplation. It is the pleasure of the mind which searches into nature and which there divines the spirit of which nature herself is animated.” Inspired by this credo, Canadian sculptor Nicole Taillon blends classical style and expressionistically figurative sculptures featuring organic, flowing forms with a strong emphasis on texture and movement. Infused with a dynamic synthesis of vibrant form, her three-dimensional figurative works are a portal of multisensory experiences, radiating a multifaceted visual language, resulting in a both emotional and physical experience as she captures the essence of humanity in contemporary society. With subjects that range from antiquity to the modern day and a style that is timeless, Nicole Taillon is a true modern master of the craft of sculpture. Ms.Taillon’s energetic oeuvre visually expresses the joy of movement with playful leaps and bounds and her energetic sculptures visually produce the loving emotions of kinship. Inspired by eternal subjects and themes such as “Tango of Dance,” “Pierrot the Moon,” “Pegasus” and “Carpe Diem,” the dynamic animation of dance is conveyed. Her dynamic oeuvre expresses the natural relations between humankind: figures dance, play and even embrace. Ms. Taillon’s return to the body and its subsequent emotional and physical expressions is an investigation of modern man’s primordial relationship with our world, an almost lost reality amidst our contemporary society’s obsession with a growing technologically systematized existence. Tranquil and complex, Nicole Taillon’ sculptures allow the viewer to absorb the aesthetic fully. They do not shroud themselves in mystery, rather, they stand forward for all to see and glean meaning. Bold while simultaneously being demure, each sculpture offers something modern to ancient modes of expression, metamorphosing into its own unique artistic statement.
“Will O’ The Wisps” Acid Patina or Gold Platting 24 kt 18”H
Exhibiting throughout Canada and the United States, this renowned Canadian Master’s sculptures are treasured in both public and private collections both nationally and internationally. Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is proud to shine the spotlight on this outstanding contemporary master!
Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24
ANA TAVERAS
ANA TAVERAS “COLLECTOR’S CHOICE”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Influenced by Claude Monet who declared: “My eyes were finally opened and I understood nature. I learned at the same time to love it,” Ana Taveras translates nature into her own visual lexicon as she transforms the flora and fauna kingdom into a magical wonderland. Dominican-born, Austrian-based Ana Taveras states: “In my paintings, I try to deal with a critical reflection about nature and plants that have been entrusted to the human.” With the diverse directionality, her oeuvre visually illustrates the temporality and environmental conditions of nature as she explores the effervescent energies and fleeting dynamism of the natural world. Ms. Taveras’ color saturated expressionist paintings create luscious scenes of the external realm which resonate with a fantasia of hues and powerful tones. Anthropomorphic plants and succulent flowers all equally engage visual interest as Ms. Taveras cogently reminds us to always appreciate and treasure our environment. By wondrously embellishing the compositions in her floral paintings, Ms. Taveras exaggerates the shapes of the views to become organically undulating forms which mirror the surrealist glory of nature. Her opulent palette emphasizes the majestic colors of the world in brilliantly saturated hues as she encapsulates the natural light of the sun during a brilliant day. Through various different visual perspectives, Ms. Taveras presents nature’s beauty by simplifying forms to essential investigations of color application. The use of textured color and her constantly changing perspectives galvanize a fascinating view by mimicking the dynamics of the terrestrial world.
“Isle of Flowers” Oil on Canvas 72.05” x 36.61” 3 Panels 70.87” x 11.81” Each
Her opulent paintings play with the extraordinary acclivity of nature showing that in all of its organic glory, nature can be positively enhanced through the artist’s trained eye. Her masterful use of saturated hues transform sublime vistas through her organically dynamic brushwork which morphs into wonderfully illustrated scenes beaming with brilliant illumination. In addition to a visual engagement of the sense of sight, her paintings engage a sense of touch, through the thickly textured application of paint. Instead of a realistic photographic representation of nature, Ms. Taveras explores the feeling of nature by emulating the organic texture of natural surfaces. Her composition moves from a distant atmospheric perspective to a cropped close-up. Through multiple perspectives, juxtaposing color palettes, energetic brushstrokes and dense application, Ms. Taveras’ compositions are a visual representation of nature’s dynamism, showing that no single scene is the defining visualization of a natural landscape. Through swirling brushstrokes and organic compositions, Ana Taveras’ billowing expressionist paintings capture visions of earthly delights which radiate superlative color, light and composition, as a kaleidoscopic color palette takes center stage. The incandescent paintings of Ana Taveras result in modern masterpieces which invite the viewer to inhale the divine beauty of nature as they cajole us to honor and respect the extraterrestrial realm. Cultivating a strong reputation in the international art world, her artwork is treasured in prestigious public and private collections throughout Europe and the U.S. Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is delighted to shine the spotlight on this contemporary rising star and showcase her stellar works.
Deconstruction #24 Oil on Canvas 16 x 24
LULU ZHENG
LULU ZHENG “HeART & SOUL”
FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 22, 2016
Inspired by Frida Kahlo who championed: “I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality,” Contemporary figurative artist Lulu Zheng is inspired by her own personal artistic vision and background in swimming. Although her major in college was medicine, she has incorporated her passion for the aquatic realm into her figurative swimming-inspired oeuvre. By offering a snapshot peak into the wonders of the illusory water world, Ms. Zheng reveals the freedom and the joy of the water. If the viewer gazes long enough it becomes apparent that very few people have both the experience and skills to render such heartfelt and awe-inspiring swimming compositions. By developing an understanding and feel from years in the pool, Ms. Zheng has been able to transform these sentiments, using oil paint as medium, to vividly illustrate the ebullience of the watery realm. Uniquely portraying her dramatic realistic vision, this Michigan-based artist’s paintings are filled with the essence of humanity as she captures the energy and movement of a female swimming. By harmoniously uniting physical and emotional characteristics which engender an exceptional portrait, Lulu Zheng defines the inner depths of the persona as she creates an intimacy between the viewer and the subject. Her skillful compositions are like a snapshot, as the audience can immediately experience the integrity and quality of each subject’s heart and soul.
“Water Muse Series #1” Mixed Media 24” x 36”
Building upon the time honored tradition of figurative art focusing on realistic individualized form, Lulu Zheng’s compositions navigate the liminal space and articulate the tensions that result when referencing worlds both inside and outside of the self. Discovering beauty with every brushstroke, Lulu Zheng’s poignant figural swimminginspired works are loaded with a visual tension as inner dialogs and conflicts linger beneath the brightly animated surfaces. Through striking contrast and bold colors, she creates an intimacy with her subjects, as her saturated hues and evocative forms capture the soul and style of each subject. Painting in bold colors, the lines of the pigments remain clear within the skillful softness of the brushstrokes in both her silhouetted and realistically rendered forms. Exhibiting both abroad and in the U.S., Lulu Zheng’s swimming portraits are highly in demand and are a testament to the artist’s profound commitment to exploring the figure. Nationally collected, her art hangs in celebrated private collections and Amsterdam Whitney Gallery is proud to shine the spotlight on this important art star!
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
FEBRUARY GROUP PRESS RELEASE AMSTERDAM WHITNEY GALLERY, 511 West 25th Street, Chelsea, New York City, is proud to showcase in its glittering FEBRUARY 5-MARCH 22, 2016 Valentine Exhibition leading Contemporary Master Artists whose works explore the abstract, figurative and natural worlds, exalting the realm of the aesthetic through brilliant coloration and dazzling form. This sweetheart of an exhibition contains a wealth of visual delights reflecting sublime artistic prowess. The exhibition is highlighted by the Thursday, FEBRUARY 11, 2016 “VALENTINE’S” KING & QUEEN of HeARTS” FETE which embraces unsurpassed contemporary master artworks which radiate supreme artist energy as it seductively romances our visual senses. Delivering a visual commentary on the art world of today and pulsating with a plentitude of mesmerizing synergy and luminescent artistic creativity, these Valentine treasures are infused with a romantic mystique and become landmark visual gems as they boldly re-imagine the contemporary quotidian. Sophisticated, eclectic and evanescent, this visual diary of art represents the universality of the world as they shine the spotlight on a global artistic language and present various perspectives. Emotional engagement pairs up with acute observation and intelligent analysis to form compelling, thought-provoking art. Finely judged to appeal to our feelings, these works are able to speak on a number of levels at once, imparting a message while touching our hearts. HeART & SOUL is an exuberant compendium of three contemporary masters from the U.S. and Canada who explore the perceptions of the heart with a unique visual lexicon which unites global dynamic energy with international aesthetic sensibilities. Their passionate, opulent canvases and formidable sculptures fuse reality with the imagination and offer a unique artistic perspective influenced by the galvanizing forces of life. LORRAINE STRIEBY creates her chromatic, surrealist, figurative cityscape mixed media “City of Angles” and “Jazz” Series, imbuing them with a deep, creative whimsical power that radiates a universal appeal. NICOLE TAILLON’s sculptures blend classical style into expressionistic figures which feature organic, flowing forms with a strong emphasis on texture and movement infused with a dynamic synthesis of 3-dimensionality. LULU ZHENG incorporates her passion for the aquatic realm into her figurative swimming-inspired oeuvre by offering a snapshot peak into the wonders of the illusory water world as she reveals the freedom and the joy of the water. ROMANCING The ABSTRACT alchemizes the realm of the fantastical with the real to create innovative virtuosic canvases which spiritually communicate the harmony of nature. These bright, expressive works truly entice the heart and soul to make it skip a beat. MARLOW MAR’s cross-cultural mixed media on silk landscape art translates the essence of Chinese nature painting into American dreamscapes creating a bridge between the world that shaped his vision and intermingle it into a new life. DIEGO SALADO’s sophisticated command of space and color knowingly blurs the boundaries between the waking world and the world of slumber in his abstract style, creating an expansive dreamscape for the viewer to explore. JEAN JAMES creates a wonderland of color and shapes and fuses her art with a vortex of the sublime. RHAPSODY of the HeARTopia offer reveries to Mother Nature and continues our profound quest to find the beauty in our bountiful terrain radiating a sensorial perspective. EWA BANAS channels Impressionist inspirations in her incandescent heaven-on-earth landscapes which commemorate the majesty of nature as she immortalizes the permanence of our natural world and captures the essence and spirit of the terrain. The February COLLECTORS’ CHOICE is an exuberant compendium of carefully curated contemporary art reflecting eclectic yet sophisticated sensorial perspectives of the world which creatively pulsate with dynamism and energy, offering a visual bouquet of innovative styles ranging from Abstract to Landscape Painting, Mixed Media to Sculpture. Imaginatively presenting their visual communication through diverse levels of external and internal experiences, these talented Contemporary Masters employ a variety of mediums and the audience is confidently shown the passionate energy of the act of creation. AMSTERDAM WHITNEY GALLERY is proud to shine the spotlight on the following February COLLECTORS’ CHOICE artists: PHILIP CATANIA, CORA CRONEMEYER, LUCILE DRISKELL, ANN GORES, ANDREA HARRIS, ADRIENNE KYROS and ANA TAVERAS.