UPCOMING SHOW PREVIEW / NEW YORK, NY
May 22-June 15, 2014
Arcadia Contemporary 51 Greene Street | New York, NY 10013 (212) 965-1387 | www.arcadiacontemporary.com
DANNY GALIEOTE
Intrusive thoughts W
hen painter Danny Galieote was at the LA Art Show in January, he found himself standing within earshot of people viewing his work, much of which features women concealing hammers, garden sheers, brass knuckles and other instruments of violence. The conversations he unintentionally eavesdropped on invariably turned to one idea: “They would say things like, ‘This guy must have bad luck with women,’” Galieote says. “All I could do was chuckle and laugh.” Galieote emphasizes that his works weren’t revenge fantasies, but were exhibitions of power and anonymity. “These girls were a play off people’s secrets and how they react to them. In psychology they call it intrusive thoughts,” he says. “I painted them from behind and cropped their faces out to give them an anonymous feel, as if they could be you or someone you know.” He’s quick to add that among his collectors are several female business executives who see strength and resilience in his armed subjects. Galieote’s paintings have an aged quality to them, one that comes from the way he paints. “I use a slightly desaturated look with bright cadmium reds right next to blues and greens,” he says. “I work a lot with thin layers of paint to give you a feeling that you’re looking through the layers a bit. It’s an indirect approach, but I like the look of it.” The weapon-clad figures—as well as other subjects, including a man pondering life atop the Chrysler Building in a piece titled The Great Escape—make up Galieote’s solo show When She Was Bad… She Was Better opening May 22 at Arcadia Contemporary in New York City. While women of power would seem to be the overarching theme of the Burbank, California, artist’s work, he is more thematically aligned with the design and fashion of the 1940s and ’50s, which can be seen in all his paintings. It was a time period he learned to cherish from his grandfathers; one owned a clothing store 102
www.AmericanAr tCollector.com
1
in Los Angeles and the other was in the Navy, both taught him to appreciate art. Galieote’s own art career began at Walt Disney Pictures, where he was a character animator during the Disney Renaissance on hand-drawn films The Lion King, Hercules, Tarzan and many others. His last film was The Princess and the Frog, after which he left Disney to permanently teach art and pursue his art career. “My heart lies with what I’m doing now… my own work,” he says.
He hasn’t escaped Hollywood, though: Bridesmaids director Paul Feig is an avid fan and has purchased three of his paintings, including one that will serve as the logo for his production company, Feigco Entertainment. The painter says he did learn some valuable lessons from Disney, though, including storytelling: “My paintings are hunting for a narrative. And because of the way they’re cropped, the characters can be anyone, including the viewer.”
2
3
5
2 Mr. Smith’s Vacation (Big Hats), oil on canvas, 72 x 40"
5 Danny Galieote, left, with director Paul Feig, who purchased Galieote’s painting Clandestine Persuasion to serve as the logo for his production company, Feigco Entertainment.
4
3 Who’s The Boss, oil on canvas, 24 x 24"
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREVIEWS
INDEX
103
4 Double Your Pleasure, oil on canvas, 36 x 36"
PR E V I E W
1 It's For You, Dear, oil on canvas, 40 x 40"
º
DANNY GALIEOTE
“The Clearing”
Oil on Canvas
40” x 40”
DANNY GALIEOTE
“The Great Escape”
Oil on Canvas
Recent Paintings
Recent Paintings
May 22 - June 15, 2014
May 22 - June 15, 2014
SOHO
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
51 Greene Street
57 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10013
New York, NY 10022
Phone (212) 965-1387
Phone (212) 759-5757 Website: www.arcadiacontemporary.com © 2014 Arcadia Contemporary and Danny Galieote
SOHO
48” x 48”
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
51 Greene Street
57 East 57th Street
New York, NY 10013
New York, NY 10022
Phone (212) 965-1387
Phone (212) 759-5757 Website: www.arcadiacontemporary.com © 2014 Arcadia Contemporary and Danny Galieote