In his sculptural and photographic work, the artist explores a personal iconography centered on familiar, often domestic, objects. He manipulates the objects by physically reconfiguring them and/or by playing with scale, in such a way that invests the quotidian with philosophical and emotional resonance, as well as dark humor.
Solo show
Sandra Gering Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of new work by
José Antonio Hernández-Diez from 17 September through 15 October
2005. This is Hernández-Diez’s fourth solo exhibition at Sandra Gering
Gallery.
In his sculptural and photographic work, Hernández-Diez explores a personal
iconography centered on familiar, often domestic, objects. He manipulates
the objects by physically reconfiguring them and/or by playing with scale,
in such a way that invests the quotidian with philosophical and emotional
resonance, as well as dark humor.
The exhibition at Sandra Gering Gallery will include three new sculptures
and two new photographs. In the sculptures, articles of clothing are
stretched between mechanized elements, fabricated from bicycle
frames. Pulled from side to side, the clothing symbolizes the artist’s
sense of being caught between two worlds (his native Caracas and current
home, Barcelona). The use of the bicycles suggests travel and mobility,
but the bicycles are without wheels – unable to be ridden. This tension
between possibility and futility is indicative of much of Hernández-Diez’s
work, including his seminal skateboard sculptures.
The large-scale photographs in the exhibition also appropriate the pop
symbol of blue jeans and t-shirts. In one photo, a pair of jeans is
discarded on an armchair, the waistband turned inside out so that the care
label and pockets are exposed. The image itself feels personal and
intimate, though the intimacy is contradicted by the imposing size of the
work. This photograph, with the pants looking like a shed skin, alludes to
transience, change, and impermanence.
José Antonio Hernández-Diez was born in Venezuela and currently lives and
works in Barcelona. A retrospective exhibition of his work traveled to
SITE Santa Fe, the Palm Beach ICA, and the New Museum in 2002-2003. He
has had recent solo exhibitions in Caracas and Sao Paolo.
Sandra Gering Gallery
534 West 22nd Street, NY 10011 - New York
Gallery hours are Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–6pm