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."

JAVA: Mosaics & Paintings - March 3-31, 2010

"Still Life", acrylic on canvas











JAVA
Mosaics & Paintings
March 3rd - 31st, 2010
Reception: March 11th, 6-8P


Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present an exhibition of new paintings and mosaics by JAVA. A lover of “breaking china”, JAVA has mastered the use of these broken pieces in creating colorful and fun imagery. Mosaics go back more than 4,000 years and the process is a physical one; the actuality of breaking up pieces and juxtaposing them together for a composition is intriguing and self-involving. Irregular chipped surfaces and edges dominate as the materials are carefully adhered to the surface. As the artist notes he appreciates the mosaics as he is able to fix what has been broken.

Staying within this realm, JAVA’s paintings have a primitive, Cubist quality but again are quite involved and color continues to be important. Each one tells a story and here there is much symbolism to build on. “Still Life” is a colorful piece titled appropriately. The asymmetrical faces are sadly confrontational and the 2 tilting sideways become part of the still life. The lying figure’s head becomes enmeshed in the fruit and the chest almost becomes the outside of the watermelon on top. Color is lush and the simple thick handling of the paint heightens the texture and works well for this artist. In contrast to the mosaics, his paintings have a deeper more serious side.

JAVA is a self taught artist, born and raised in Cuba, now living and working in Brooklyn. Using recycled materials in his mosaics and sculptures leads him to endless possibilities as he continues the exploration with these new works. 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. He has completed many commissions both private and public including portraits, patios and a recent commission in 2009 for National Payroll Week. Works have been included in exhibitions in Cuba, Italy, Miami and New York City.

Exploring the Process: a discussion between artist Edward Evans and Dominique Nahas, Independent Curator and Critic

Click on the E-card for larger viewing

THE EASELS: January 21st, 6-8p featuring artist PETER TRIPP and Guest Moderator LARRY QUALLS

Click on E-card for a larger view

EDWARD EVANS: JOURNEYS - January 5- February 13, 2010

Early Lighting, acrylic on linen 2009, 28x34"














Flight of Matta, acrylic on linen 2009, 54x68"







Plight of Odysseus, acrylic on linen 2009, 72x96"






EDWARD EVANS
Journeys: new large paintings
January 5th to February 13, 2010
Reception: Jan. 7th, 6-8p
Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11-6p

Franklin 54 Gallery + projects is pleased to present an exhibition of new large paintings by Edward Evans. The scale of these illusionistic acrylic on linen works is breathtaking - they appear dimensional on the slick airbrushed surfaces that heighten the depth and space. Colors of charcoal grays, oranges and indigos softly abound leaving room to rest in the white spaces that enhance the layers of light. There are swooping movements at different speeds in and out throughout the canvas, soft and hard edges – your eye can hardly stop the ricochet effect yet they are also serene and peaceful - there are many places to get lost but you won’t because this artist has complete control of his medium and directs you on your path.

Explosions of color are everywhere and the movements and shadows give forth to rock formations contrasting with pillowy effects, enclosed inferno landscapes, skies and mists. Light comes through each color as there are many layers applied even though they are thinly painted. The works are full of contradictions and surprises, control and chance. They are crisp and clean yet intertwined. Evans strives to simplify the works and make them more painterly and spontaneous this time around and succeeds in doing so. Standing in front of the piece one can step in and passage through this incredible journey for a very long time.

Edward Evans spent his early years in Minnesota and now lives and works in Stroudsburg, PA. He is the curator at the Southwest Minnesota State University Art Museum as well as other venues and owner of Gallery 705 in Stroudsburg, PA. Edward’s works have been exhibited widely in museums and galleries in the United States and internationally including Italy and Switzerland and are included in numerous museums, private and corporate collections. Evans will be having a solo show in Galleria Polid'Arte, Spoleto, Italy from June 25 - July 25, 2010 during the world famous "Festival of Two Worlds", also called the Spoleto Festival.