Joe Fig
dal 26/4/2006 al 26/5/2006
Segnalato da
26/4/2006
Joe Fig
Plus Ultra Gallery, New York
This new body of work furthers his series of conceptual portraitsof contemporary painters via exquisite miniature sculptures based onextensive research into their studio practice. In addition this exhibition includes 16 new sculpturesof painting tables.
Solo show
Plus Ultra Gallery is very pleased to present the third solo exhibition of new work
by gallery artist Joe Fig. Following Joe's solo exhibition at the Bass Museum in
Miami Beach in 2005, this new body of work furthers his series of conceptual
portraitsof contemporary painters via exquisite miniature sculptures based
onextensive research into their studio practice. In addition to a majornew
double-studio sculpture this exhibition includes 16 new sculpturesof painting
tables, which incorporate audio tracks from Joe's growinglibrary of interviews with
important contemporary painters.
The heart of the exhibition is Joe'slargest sculpture to date, an exquisitely
detailed miniature of theside-by-side Long Island studios of artist couple Eric
Fischl and April Gornik. An architectural marvel in its own right, the
structureincludes two practically identical buildings connected by an
elegantentrance and represents the second time Joe has realized a
husband-wifesculpture (the first was Inka Essenhigh and Steve Mumford)
highlightingone of the central themes of his exploration, the romance we
associatewith the artist in his/her studio. New to Joe's work is the integrationof
audio into his sculpture, filling the space with the voices of theartists, which
enhances the intimacy of the viewing experience.
Also exhibited are 16 new sculpturesthat focus on the artists' painting tables. This
on-going projectincludes portraits of the following New York area artists:
GregoryAmenoff, Chuck Close, Will Cotton, Karin Davie, Eric Fischl, BarnabyFurnas,
Bill Jensen, Ryan McGinness, Julie Mehretu, Philip Pearlstein,Matthew Ritchie,
Alexis Rockman, Fred Tomaselli, Dana Schutz, AmySillman, and Joan Snyder. In
contrast to Joe's full-studio sculptures,which include a figure of the artist, in
these gem-like pieces, theunique set-up and elements of the painting table itself
stands in as aprocess-related psychological portrait of the artist. Further,
eachpiece is enclosed in a vitrine, referencing art historical artifacts,and each
includes the audio of Joe's interview with that painter,forming an extraordinary
document of the ideas and practices of a widerange of important contemporary
artists.
Joe Fig has exhibited widely in theUnited States and in Europe. His work has been
included in exhibitionsat PS1-MoMA, the Bass Museum, and the Brooklyn Academy of
Music, and isrepresented in the following collections: the Altoids Collection,
theFogg Art Museum, and the Hood Museum of Art.
Opening reception: Thursday, April 27, 6-8 pm
Plus Ultra Gallery
637 West 27th Street (Ground Floor) - New York
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am to 6pm or by appointment