Pursuant Too

8 contemporary artists from the Hudson Valley

The gallery is currently open by appointment only - please our website for more information and gallery news

SHARON BARTEL-CLEMENTS: The Nature of Things

A solo exhibition of new paintings & sculptural objects
November 8th - December 17th
Reception: Nov. 10th, 6-8p




In the Project Space:
ELISA PRITZKER
Naturalia
Nov. 10th-17th, in conjunction with Latin American Cultural Week
Franklin 54 Gallery is a proud participant in the 6th Annual Latin American Cultural Week, produced by PAMAR
www.lacw.net for more info

EDWARD EVANS: new abstract paintings

Circling the Sun, acrylic on linen, 58x80"

September 20th - October 29th, 2011




Opening Reception: September 22nd, 6-8p

SUMMER HOURS

The gallery will be open by appointment only from June 28 - Sept. 13th


"Spreading Out", acrylic on linen by Edward Evans



We will be open & participating in the Chelsea Art Walk on July 28th, 5-8pm with:
Group Exhibition of selected gallery artists
Laura Duggan
Edward Evans
AJ Nadel
Elisa Pritzker
Alicia Rothman
Marlene Rye
Eleanor Winters
www.artwalkchelsea.com



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK – Please join us on Thursday, July 28, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m. for the second annual Chelsea Art Walk, a cooperative event organized by the neighborhood's galleries and art institutions.

Last year the free, self-guided, public event attracted hundreds of residents and visitors to explore the dynamic arts community offered by internationally acclaimed galleries. Chelsea Art Walk generated buzz and traffic to Chelsea on an otherwise quiet summer evening.

More than 125 galleries and institutions participating in Chelsea Art Walk 2011 will be open for extended hours, artist talks, receptions, and other special events to showcase the vibrancy of the summer arts scene in Chelsea, while local sponsors will offer food and drink specials throughout the evening. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the newly opened second section of the High Line, which extends through Chelsea from 14th Street to 30th Street.

A venue map will be provided by the M Chelsea art map, published by the M magazine, online at intheArtworld.com.The Exhibitionist iPhone/iPad app, available for free download through iTunes, will map out participating locations, display photos of the exhibitions, and highlight special events.

Live performances:
• Monya Rowe Gallery: Autodrone plays dark atmospheric art punk, for fans of shoegaze, industrial, post punk, and all music which   surprises, delights, wounds and heals the human spirit. – 7 p.m.
• Freight + Volume: Genevieve White performs in conjunction with the exhibition "Migration" – 7 p.m.
• RARE Gallery: An acoustic performance of "experimental pop sound" – 7 p.m.
Screenings:
Horton Gallery: "Miroslav Tichý: Tarzan Retired," a film by Miroslav Tichý and Roman Buxbaum (ongoing)

Activities:
• Porter / Contemporary: Visit a "A Portrait Apart" and have your own Polaroid portraits made
• Bertrand Delacroix Gallery: Win a Marcel Duchamp portrait in a raffle to benefit the CUE Art Foundation
• Pavel Zoubok Gallery: "Money ... what's it worth to you?" with Mark Wagner, who will cut up dollar bills for souvenirs
• Meulensteen: Coolhaus Ice Cream Truck unveils their new Buckminster Fuller-inspired ice cream sandwich at the gallery's Buckminster    Fuller exhibition 
• Nicholas Robinson Gallery: Ping-pong

Artist/Curator Talks:
• Margaret Thatcher Projects: gallery talk with Erin Brown, curator of "w h i t e - h o t" – 5:30 p.m.
• BLANK SPACE: artist talk and reception – 6 p.m.
• Fischbach Gallery: discussion of the exhibition "Shine" with guest artists and reception – 6 p.m.
• Phoenix Gallery: Han Beck will talk about his work " Wearing a Brooch & Sharing the ideas" – 6:30 p.m.
• Sputnik Gallery: artist talk with Sasha Maslov – 6:30 p.m.
• 1500 Gallery: "An Overview of Contemporary Brazilian Photography," curatorial talk by Andrew S. Klug – 7 p.m.
• Priska C. Juschka Fine Art: join artist Dannielle Tegeder for a tour the exhibition "Silver Bullet" – 7 p.m.
• Alan Klotz Gallery: artist talk and book signing with Harvey Stein – 7:15 p.m.

Book events and special receptions at Gallery 307, ACA Galleries, De Buck Gallery, Churner & Churner, ClampArt, Asya Geisberg Gallery, Hasted Kraeutler, Jim Kempner Fine Art, Von Lintel Gallery, Lombard-Fried Projects, Flomenhaft Gallery, Claire Oliver Gallery, Praxis International Art, SOHO2O Chelsea Gallery, Sundaram Tagore Gallery, Vogt Gallery, Witzenhausen Gallery, Rick Wester Fine Art, and David Zwirner. For more information, visit www.artwalkchelsea.com/events.

For a complete list of exhibitions and events, visit www.artwalkchelsea.com or follow Chelsea Art Walk on Facebook at facebook.com/chelseaartwalk.
For media information, please contact Alyssa Menegat at alyssa@jenkinsjohnsongallery.com
or Brendan Wattenberg at brendan@walthercollection.com.

A Book Signing & Reception

"Exploring the Original West Village"
a new book by Alfred Pommer & Eleanor Winters

Join us for a book signing and reception:
Thursday June 23rd, 6-9pm in the gallery


"Abingdon Square", cover oil painting by Leendert van der Pool


About the authors:
Alfred Pommer is a New York City Licensed Guide who has been giving public and private walking tours focusing on history and architecture in New York City's diverse neighborhoods for over 20 years. A New York City native, he holds a degree in labor studies and retired in 1991 from the New York City Parks Department to devote himself to his tours full time. Since then he has been researching and improving each tour to bring his knowledge and stories to numerous groups, institutions and individuals who have embarked on his journeys around these Manhattan neighborhoods.
For more info visit Alfred's website: www.nycwalk.com

Eleanor Winters is a native of Brooklyn, NY who has been exploring New York City on foot for several decades. She is a commercial and fine artist specializing in calligraphy which she teaches in Europe and the United States. Eleanor lives half of the year in Brooklyn and the other half in Paris. Having authored 5 books on calligraphy, her collaboration with Alfred was a perfect fit. She holds a master's in art from New York University and is represented by Franklin 54 Gallery + Projects for her calligraphy quilt collage works.
For more about Eleanor visit her website: www.eleanorwinters.com

"Exploring the Original West Village" is published by The History Press, Charleston, SC
www.historypress.net

On view in the gallery:
Paintings, prints & photographs of the West Village by Sharon Florin, Alfred Pommer, Leendert van der Pool and Calligraphy Quilt Collages by author Eleanor Winters

LIGHT SOURCES: 2 VISIONS New Works by Leendert van der Pool & Ann Woodward

Sunday Rest, Leendert van der Pool, oil on canvas









Sounding, Ann Woodward, watercolor, monoprint fragment, paper collage



May 10th to June 18th, 2011

Paintings by Leendert van der Pool
Collage/Monoprints by Ann Woodward

AJ Nadel & Guest Moderator Wolf Kahn in conversation

"Exploring the Process" with artist AJ Nadel and Guest Moderator Wolf Kahn
Thursday April 14th @ 6:30p
Reception 6-8p


"Resting Marla", acrylic on canvas

AJ NADEL: a Solo Exhibition

Sarah Withdrawn
charcoal, collage on paper





AJ NADEL
"Explored Relationships of Figurative Expressions"
Large drawings & paintings
March 25-April 30th, 2011
Reception: March 31st, 6-8p

Santeria by JAVA: a Special 3 Day Event

"Madonna and Child", detail, found object assemblage





Exhibition & documentary film premier about the artist "Beauty in Everything" by Robert Horvath
Reception Feb. 11th, 6-9p


LOCAL ARTIST RECLAIMS TRASH ON NEW YORK STREETS FOR USE IN FINE ART EXHIBIT

Cuban-born artist, JAVA, creates body of work inspired by Santeria religion and his passion for recyclable material

New York, New York – January 25, 2011 - Franklin 54 Gallery + Projects presents: “Santeria”; a found object sculpture exhibit, showing from Saturday, February 12 to Sunday, February 13, 2011, 12-5PM, with an opening reception on Friday, February 11, 2011, 6-9PM in the West Chelsea Arts Building, while also premiering “Beauty in Everything”; a short documentary about the artist and his work, by Robert Horvath of DÉVA.

Russian-born filmmaker, Mr. Horvath, was inspired by JAVA’s show at Franklin 54 Gallery in March 2010. When the artist saw the documentary he was moved to create a new body of work reminiscent of the mystique and beauty of Santeria, a religion in Cuba that has influenced JAVA’s artistic expression since childhood.

The dynamic use of found objects in all the work and the artist’s love for garbage and recyclable materials, which trace back to his Castro post-revolutionary Cuba when money and supplies were scarce, if not unavailable, makes for a visually stunning show. In a statement by JAVA regarding his work, he says, “I know this beautiful blue planet where we live will one day be a dump…It’s up to us to save it by using our imagination.”

Using everything from crushed cans to abandoned wood, JAVA “places everything exactly where it should be”, states Joyce Pommer, gallery owner. His attitude of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is a wonderful one that he takes seriously in his dedication to the work.

JAVA is a self-taught artist, born and raised in Cuba, now living and working in New York. He has been featured in “Reclaimed”, a 2010 group show of artists who use recycled material, at the Southwest Minnesota State University Art Museum. His work was chosen for the 2009 National Payroll Week campaign and has been included in many exhibitions in Cuba, Italy, Miami and New York City.

January 22nd@ 4p:" Exploring the Process" continues

Join us on Saturday January 22nd @ 4p when James LoParo and Critic David Cohen continue the conversation about the artist's works in the exhibition.
David Cohen is the Publisher/Editor of artcritical magazine. He is British born, has lived in the US since 1999 and is an American citizen. David was the gallery director at the New York Studio School from 2001-2010 and art critic of the New York Sun from 2003-08, and he moderates the ongoing forum of critical discussions of contemporary art, The Review Panel, at the National Academy Museum.


Archaeo Form XVI
19x17x4"
Fresco/Drywall/Wood
2002







Archaeo Form XII
25x21x4"
Fresco/Drywall/Wood
2002

BEFORE and AFTER: Harmonic Cycles of Creation and Destruction

JAMES LOPARO, a solo exhibition



X-ild, fresco panels, 47x69x3"



December 14th, 2010 – January 29th, 2011

December 16th @ 6:30p: Exploring the Process with LoParo & critic Larry Qualls

Franklin 54 Gallery + Projects is pleased to present a solo exhibition of extraordinary fresco and archaeo forms by James LoParo. The large-scale fresco pieces are impressive, powerful and majestic. LoParo’s interesting process includes building up layer upon layer of marks, letters, writings, scribbling and color intuitively and spontaneous which progressively become more deliberate. This journey goes on for 7-8 layers as he manipulates the piece to the top. When he reaches that final level he covers the entire surface with white plaster and boldly faces a blank canvas all over again. This step takes a great deal of confidence in covering over the previous multiple layers of work. Now he starts destroying while still creating and works back into his surfaces with saw blades, machetes and other tools to “uncover” what he remembers is underneath and selectively wants to leave for the final image. It is a mind game and a physical act. The self-exploration strips away layer after layer until he is satisfied and the piece feels right visually.

These textural giants are compositionally satisfying and wonderful, colors are calm and serene of umbers, sienna’s, grays and green contrasted against the rich surface that has been peeled away and now reveals so much from beneath – remembered or not, we can see the marks and writings that were made much earlier; LoParo has been on an excavation and exploration rebuilding while tearing away.

The archaeo forms are part of the larger image now destroyed even further and the journey continues. Now the broken fragments are attached to a foundation made by the artist with consideration of the fragmented shape and they becomes an extension of the form. Life moves forward – and the cycle continues. The entire process reflects an uncovering of the self – stripping away layer upon layer of the human experience and the work supports this completely. This confident artist presents much for us to think about.

After achieving success in NYC and across the US in the 1990’s, James left for Italy and the European audience that accepted his work enthusiastically - he is widely collected there including many on site installations. He has recently returned to New York City to reintroduce his work here.

Triple Play Exhibition extended by appt. through Nov. 30th

The Triple Play: flatiron/gramercy from 3 angles exhibition featuring works by Sharon Florin, Susan Pyzow and Emily Trueblood has been extended through November 30th by appointment only. Please call us @ 917.821.0753 if you would like to see the show.

View all 42 works from the Triple Play exhibition online

Through November you can see all 42 works in the exhibition on our online gallery @ American Art Collector magazine. Here is the direct link you will need to copy and paste into your browser:
http://www.galleryshowsonline.com/show/franklinangles1110

Triple Play: Flatiron/Gramercy from 3 Angles

SHARON FLORIN
SUSAN PYZOW
EMILY TRUEBLOOD


Emily Trueblood, "City Towers", Linocut



Susan Pyzow, "Sheffel Hall Night", acrylic on canvas









Sharon Florin, "Flatiron Bird's Eye View", oil on canvas









TRIPLE PLAY: FLATIRON/GRAMERCY FROM 3 ANGLES

SHARON FLORIN
SUSAN PYZOW
EMILY TRUEBLOOD

October 19th – November 24th, 2010
Reception: October 21st, 6-8p
Special Event: November 6th @ 2p: an in gallery walking tour of the exhibition by NYC tour guide Alfred Pommer

Franklin 54 Gallery is pleased to present a collaborative exhibition project by 3 New York City artists: Sharon Florin, Susan Pyzow and Emily Trueblood of paintings and prints that depict two New York City landmark areas- the Gramercy and Flatiron districts.

Sharon Florin has been painting and capturing NYC architecture for many years and they are expertly executed with a realist’s eye yet full of personality. They are detailed, rich and inviting – she captures the heart and feeling of each piece of architecture bringing the intimacy of it to life. Sharon’s respect and love for the architecture and NYC come alive in her paintings so we as the viewer can step in and enjoy so many aspects of the city.

Susan Pyzow’s paintings are strong and a bit eerie though quiet and still - components that make them intriguing along with her use of lush color and heightened contrasts. She draws us as viewers into the “light in the window” that is a beacon. The pieces are real but painterly and we are welcomed into her suspense hoping she will let us inside and reveal the secret. Susan will also have prints in the exhibition along side her paintings.

Emily Trueblood’s linoleum cut prints are clean, sharp and architectural. The imagery in these pieces whether shadow, shapes or angles are simple and striking. Her limited palette accentuates these handsome pieces and repeated use of the window variations keeps the eye moving in and out, up and down. Masterfully composed, they invite us to a fresh interpretation of these NYC buildings.

Each artist has her own technique and vision yet together they portray the richness of these neighborhoods. All three are award winning artists with works in numerous private, corporate and museum collections. Printmakers Susan Pyzow and Emily Trueblood also exhibit with The Old Print Shop in Manhattan. Sharon Florin has exhibited with Franklin 54 since it began in 2004.

"EXPLORING THE PROCESS" with artist Elisa Pritzker and Guest Moderator Dominique Nahas

Join us on Saturday October 16th from 4-6p for an interesting conversation between Elisa Pritzker and Dominique Nahas, Independent Curator and Critic



Interior I, digital art on plexiglass

"ZIPPED" new works by Elisa Pritzker

SEPTEMBER 14-OCTOBER 16, 2010


"Between the Urban and the City"

Digital Art on plexiglass


Reception: September 16th, 6-8p


Franklin 54 Gallery + Projects is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new works by Elisa Pritzker. In her 3rd solo show with the gallery, these digital art pieces on plexiglass are a break out of the box for the artist. Here Pritzker continues playing with photographic imagery as she has in the past but now presents a different visual. After capturing the moment in photographs she has altered and cleverly combined them with zippers – an interesting and somewhat mystifying everyday item. Her combinations are captivating and absorbing; her art has a reachable approach using ideas and objects that are part of everyday living - a master of minimalism she continues to say much with little. Although the new works have more imagery than her boxed pieces she keeps them clean, crisp and simple in context and execution. Working on a larger scale here Elisa has succeeded in transforming her minimalistic ideas into a unique vocabulary, increasing her range and giving us more to think about.

The juxtaposition of two unlikely images increases the mystery for the viewer. The zipper between opens or closes the dialogue – divides or invites us. In “Zipped City” we wonder what is going on in those zipped up windows and buildings as people have been zipped up for the night – her use of black in this piece adds to the suspense as its richness looms as a dark wall or disappearing darkness. “Between the Urban and the Country” is a fun piece of contrast – on one side is the cow face forward staring while in a serene country setting – in the other is the madness of rush hour city traffic – in between is the zipper - the cow seems to say it all. These are sharp handsome pieces, a new direction for Pritzker and a first rate one at that.

October 16th, 4-6p: “Exploring the Process” a conversation between Elisa Pritzker and Dominique Nahas, Independent Curator and Critic

Industry Partner to the American Society of Interior Designers

We are pleased to announce the gallery has recently been accepted as an Industry Partner to the American Society of Interior Designers
www.ASID.org

SUMMER HOURS

From June 20th to September 13th, the gallery will be open by appointment only
Visit our website thefranklin54gallery.com during the summer for updates and news
Our fall season will open on September 14th with "Zipped", a solo exhibition of new works by Elisa Pritzker

Our next Easels project will be on September 30th featuring works by Siri Berg with our Guest Moderator TBA

Elaine Defibaugh: "Nite Lite, City Brite" - The Black Light Paintings

"Layered Cake", mixed media on canvas under black light




ELAINE DEFIBAUGH
“Nite Lite, City Brite”
The Black Light Paintings
May 5th to June 19th, 2010
Reception: May 6th, 6-8P

Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present the second solo exhibition of new large works by Elaine Defibaugh. This artist continues her adventurous exploration of materials (fabric, sewing, collage) in these free-floating paintings by presenting them for viewing under the black light. For those of us old enough to remember the fun and connotations the black light stirs up in our memories, it is a trip down memory lane and for those not familiar with what the black light can do it is an introduction to a revealing light source and energy on the painted surface.
Defibaugh is not shy as she jumps in using scale and fluorescent paints to heighten the experience. In her statement she describes: “These paintings combine elements from a traditional landscape genre with a pattern & decoration composition to formally investigate painting as a site for the juxtaposition of the Urban and the Natural in an abstracted collage of continuity and rhythm… My use of fluorescent paint and black light is to suggest a contrast of light between both the cityscape and landscape.” Not only does she suggest a contrast of light but what one experiences within the landscape whether city or otherwise. The pieces are vast and moving like those open spaces Defibaugh has traveled yet they are also so alive with color and energy you can feel the pulse of the city.
Black light is a conversion of energy, it is the near ultraviolet radiant energy that falls just outside the visible spectrum – when the light hits fluorescent materials it makes them “fluoresce” or emit visible light. When the light hits Defibaugh’s paintings they jump into a dance of vibrations with dramatic effects. “Nite Lite, City Brite” when viewed under natural light is a sea of bright colors, mountains, patterns – a beautiful landscape moving in and out, up and down like a roller coaster ride. This same painting under the black light becomes imaginary, glowing with dripping icicles of color – it is totally energized with hotter pinks, bluer blues and eerie blacks. It has become a different landscape now and transfers its energy onto us.
Elaine lives and works in New York City although she travels widely. Her works are included in numerous collections, public, private and museums across the country.
“The creation of this artwork has been made possible in part through a Chashama visual arts studio award. Chashama supports thriving cultural communities by transforming temporarily vacant properties into spaces where art can flourish."