Al Souza
dal 12/2/2003 al 15/3/2003
Segnalato da
12/2/2003
Al Souza
Charles Cowles Gallery, New York
In his current exhibition Al Souza continues to use commercially-made puzzles as his medium to create vibrant works. This group of paintings takes his exploration of the compositional possibilities of puzzles whose subject matter ranges from kitschy puppy portraits to jigsaw renditions of Impressionist and Pop Art masterpieces.
February 15 - March 15, 2003
In his current exhibition AL SOUZA continues to use commercially-made puzzles as his medium to create vibrant works. This group of paintings takes his exploration of the compositional possibilities of puzzles whose subject matter ranges from kitschy puppy portraits to jigsaw renditions of Impressionist and Pop Art masterpieces. Up close the work overwhelms the eye with intense detail, but from afar it creates a rich tapestry of color and texture in coherent compositions.
Using manufactured puzzles instead of paint to create his fanciful compositions has opened up a whole community to SOUZA that he otherwise would never have encountered. SOUZA's network of jigsaw enthusiasts who hunt down and piece together puzzles for him crisscrosses the US. These untraditional friends add a hidden social element to the works that is of fundamental interest to SOUZA in choosing this medium.
Finding community, in this instance with his peers, has also fueled AL SOUZA to search out artist residencies. His most recent experience in Bellagio, Italy, inspired him to revisit his cut paper works using vibrant wallpaper samples he found there. Reconfigured into seemingly random layers of overlapping, meticulously cut out ovals, these works encourage the viewer to recognize a new relationship in the plethora of original designs. As with the puzzle paintings, SOUZA's instinctive sense of balance counteracts the chaos produced by the layering of pattern.
SOUZA's work is currently included in the group exhibition Comic Release: Negotiating Identity for a New Generation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on view through March 21 and then will travel. SOUZA is also included in Sweet Tooth at COPIA: American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa, CA, and is up through May 12. Both exhibitions are accompanied by catalogues. His work is included in major public collections including the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu; Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla; Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris.
reception for the artist February 13, 6 to 8 pm
The exhibition will be on view at the Charles Cowles Gallery at 537 West 24th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues in Chelsea. Hours are 10am to 6pm, Tuesday through Saturday. There will be a reception for the artist on Thursday, February 13, from 6-8 pm.
For further information or photographs, please contact the gallery.
Above image: Bingo Bango Bongo, 2002, Puzzle parts and glue on wood, 54 x 46"
Charles Cowles Gallery
537 West 24th Street
New York, NY 10011
tel: 212/925-3500