Fred Hayes, Untitled (Cityscape #26), 2008, Graphite on paper, 51.5 x 42 inches. Image via thecuratorgallery.com. |
November 6 – December 20, 2014
Curated by Peg Alston
520 West
23rd Street
New York,
NY
From
thecuratorgallery.com:
The
Curator Gallery is pleased to present Three
Dimensions, curated by Peg
Alston. Featuring the work of Fred Hayes, Karen Powell and Todd Williams,
the exhibition shines a light on three dynamic artists and offers an insider’s
glimpse into Peg Alston’s long and illustrious career as the country’s foremost private art dealer specializing in
works by African American artists.
Peg Alston
selected these three artists for their distinct and varied styles and points of
view which come together to form Three
Dimensions. “Each artist represents
a sampling of art that has appealed to me throughout my career as an art dealer
-- those artists who have developed their own artistic language,” says Alston.
“This exhibition serves to introduce the works of Fred Hayes, Karen Powell and
Todd Williams to a wider audience and I applaud The Curator Gallery for
providing this platform.”
Fred Hayes
has received much recognition for his cityscapes as well as his portraits, both
of which are on display in Three
Dimensions. His cityscapes possess
commanding architectural and lyrical qualities and his portraits display
mastery in projecting mood and personality. Hayes’ portraits usually begin with
an image -- a photo on the internet, someone on TV, or even the memory of a
person encountered while traveling through the city. From that starting point,
they take on a life of their own rather than becoming exact
representations. Hayes received his BFA
and MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and has shown his work in numerous
forums, including the Drawing Center, the New Museum of Contemporary Art, The
Addison Gallery of American Art, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Karen
Powell, a native New Yorker currently living in Chicago, is also influenced by
an urban environment, as depicted in many of her mixed-media collage paintings.
The centerpieces of these works are vintage photographs, which serve to inspire
the entire composition of each painting. The photograph evokes other
image-related responses that she surrounds with colorful abstract backgrounds.
The effect is a very contemporary use of a vintage photograph that exudes a
personal and intimate appeal. Also featured
are Powell’s abstract paintings, which are equally exciting. Powell received a
BA from Fisk University before going on to the University of Chicago for
graduate studies. She has exhibited in diverse galleries throughout the
country.
Todd
Williams is a post-Modernist who was recognized as a sculptor four decades ago.
He continues to express sculptural qualities in his mixed-media,
two-dimensional wall constructions featured in Three Dimensions. He creates dynamic, textured surfaces with
sculpted wooden forms, resulting in complex compositions that create optical
illusions and the suggestion of movement. Williams helped break barriers when
his work appeared in the Whitney’s 1971 group show, Contemporary Black Artists in America, a significant moment in the
national arts scene. Williams’ sculptures
can be seen in public places throughout New York City.
Peg Alston
is the owner of Peg Alston Fine Arts. She emerged on the New York art scene in
1972, a time when interest in art by African Americans was limited. Thanks to
her keen eye and taste, commitment to her specialty and dedication to educating
the public through lectures and activism, she has played a pivotal role in
cultivating an interest all around the country for investing in African
American fine art. She has also formed
close associations with many of today’s most important African American artists
and is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades.
The
Curator Gallery is a fine art gallery located on 23rd Street in Chelsea which
collaborates with notable guest curators for each exhibition. Founded and
underwritten by Ann S. Moore, the retired Chairman and CEO of Time Inc., the
gallery’s mission is to bring exposure to hardworking artists, as well as to
educate and expand the pool of engaged, serious collectors.
No comments:
Post a Comment