Tria Gallery presents "Premonitions" |
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| Saturday, 22 December 2007 02:51 |
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New York, NY - Tria Gallery presents Premonitions through February 9, 2008. On display will be oil on steel paintings by Jovan Villalba, with sculpture by John R.G. Roth and short films by Kun-I Chang and Youngwoong Jang. Jovan Villalba The post-modern perspective of Premonitions, according to Mr. Villalba, is rendered firmly in the apocalyptic genre. The paintings feature images of sweeping, cataclysmic events. The increasing threat of man-made devastation in forms of biological and nuclear warfare, environmental catastrophe and economic ruin, in conjunction with their magnified portrayal in the media, has created an onslaught of social alarm, and has subversively woven feelings of doom into the fabric of present-day life in America. Each of Mr. Villalba’s paintings depicts a unique panorama exaggerated in a perilous narrative. The bold gestural marks and detailed imagery that combine abstract elements with curious references keep the work simultaneously known and unknown, thus engaging and inviting a viewer to speculate on potential circumstances. One can see the grandeur and nobility of human resilience in Mr. Villalba’s paintings, however, and his message is ultimately one of hope Physically, the works are composed of a stainless steel platform topped by layers of oil paint. Each piece has the potential to transform, as areas of the surface that were left exposed reflect light and motion from its surroundings, filling any void, and imposing a life of its own. This work is a metaphor for a prolific locale that has succumbed to catastrophic events, yet still exudes resolute optimism and the promise of restoration. Jovan Villalba was born in Quito, Ecuador in 1977, but spent most of his childhood in Miami. Awarded a four year full-tuition scholarship to The Cooper Union School of Art, he received merit grants and was invited to exhibit at The New York Design Center. Since graduating, Mr. Villalba has exhibited his paintings at several galleries in New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, and at Art Basel Miami. John R.G. Roth  John Roth’s sculpture has been displayed in solo exhibitions throughout the country and has received numerous awards. His current work is informed by subjects such as the Iraq war and the connection between America’s conspicuous consumption and resource use to foreign policy and war. Despite his serious subject matters, however, Roth never loses his sense of humor -- there is an undeniably playful quality to all of his extremely well crafted pieces.Tria Gallery specializes in contemporary painting and mixed media by established and emerging artists. In addition to artwork on exhibit, the gallery maintains an inventory of select works by its featured artists. Tria’s three directors, Carol Suchman, Paige Bart and Latifa Metheny, are committed to presenting artists with compelling bodies of work, and ones whose stories, should, in their estimation, be told. Tria is located in the heart of Chelsea, at 547 West 27th Street, Suite 504, and is open to the public. Hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00-6:00. Premonitions: New Paintings by Jovan Villalba runs from January 10 through February 9, 2008. For more information, please visit www.triagallerynyc.com . Click on logo below to add this article to your favorite Social Website ~ |
