Weapons of Mass Construction. Employing a modernist approach, Montalto's paintings provide an expansive view of distant future civilizations borne of scientific ingenuity. These perspectives reflect the potential intrinsic to new technologies that aim to seize control of the raw components of nature, eventually reassembling them into superior structures of living.
Priska C. Juschka Fine Art is pleased to present Weapons of Mass Construction, Leah
Montalto's first solo exhibition in New York City. Drawing on principles of
nanotechnology-the science of programming molecules to self-assemble on a mass
scale-Montalto depicts various states of evolution as raw mass and matter morph into
utilitarian architectural entities.
Employing a modernist approach, Montalto's paintings provide an expansive view of
distant future civilizations borne of scientific ingenuity. These perspectives
reflect the potential intrinsic to new technologies that aim to seize control of the
raw components of nature, eventually reassembling them into superior structures of
living.
In her intuitive works, Montalto presents obsidian formations floating in
space-caught in the midst of transformation from useless to functional structures.
Gray and brown forms represent basic elements such as dust, stone, and planetary
debris, while man-made matter such as metal, glass, and futuristic materials are
reflected in a range of yellow, green, and red palettes. As the raw materials slowly
surrender to those fabricated by man, the formation evolves into a new substance
that will ultimately serve as the basis for a progressive habitat.
Despite their dark aesthetic, Montalto's paintings carry a persistent sense of
optimism and core belief in the opportunities that advancement will eventually be
able to offer our society. This romantic outlook is evident in her harmonious
compositions as they reflect continuous motion and a sense of gravity-defying
dynamics. The works capture the creative impetus she trusts will not only afford our
culture technological advancement-but also enable significant philosophical,
architectural and political evolution. Recognizing the profound promise inherent to
advances of this sort, Montalto strives to give form to a process that has thus far
been intelligible to a mere select few.
Leah Montalto was born in Boston, MA. She received her MFA from the Rhode Island
School of Design in Providence, RI. Her work has been included in several
exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad, including the Gongju International Art
Exhibition at the Limlip Museum in Seoul, Korea and most recently the National
Academy of Design in New York, NY for which she received the Hallgarten Prize. She
currently lives in New York, NY and works in Queens, NY while holding an Assistant
Professor position at Sarah Lawrence College.
Join Priska Juschka and the artist at the gallery for an opening reception
onThursday, November 13, 6 - 9 PM
Priska C. Juschka Fine Art
547 West 27th Street - New York
Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11:00 to 6:00 PM or by appointment.
Free admission