~MERCER TULLIS . . new Realism !!? hyper-surrealism ?!! bring it – on !! also feat: NEIL JENNEY, LARRY KAGAN, KATHLEEN GILJE, ROBERT LOBE & LEONARD DUFRESNE,
YES, BRING REALISM . . back !!
speaking of MERCER TULLIS . . .
MERCER . . has an amazing sultry mysterious painting – in an amazing sultry minimalist, but luxury high end / mysterious space.
the space is the home / studio / exhibition space of the very notable American painter – NEIL JENNEY, who shot to prominence in the 70s.
the eclectic group show is still up – and, well worth a visit, and includes a great overview of Neil Jenney’s work, too. all the various stages.
‘AMERICAN REALISM TODAY’ – GROUP SHOW / WINTER 2017
WEST BROADWAY GALLERY – 383 West Broadway – 4th Floor / Soho
HRS: SUNDAY 11am – 8PM & by appointment
except for this weekend: open Sat Feb 4, 2017 / closed Sun Feb 5, 2017 – due to Super Bowl / football’s big endgame !!
MERCER TULLIS – with his {REALIST} painting, sweet !! dark, & strange.
MERCER TULLIS, b. 1994.
‘Nothings going on’, 2015-2016.
49.5 x 29 x 2.5 inches, fixed graphite on gessoed plywood.
with artist’s frame.
($14K- SOLD/private collection)
oblique . . transparency ???
dark symbolism, erotic heat – new ‘goth’ realism ?
but also very very . . American / re; the history of American painting.
gold gilt detail, bottom of the hand-made frame.
the frames in general, throughout the loft – were amazing, skills skills skills.
Neil Jenney’s bedroom – in the midst of his work & sparse furniture / I was allowed to walk back into the full floor Soho loft, behind the formal gallery / exhibition space.
I’m guessing, Jenney must have purchased it, back in the late 70s ?
oh, lucky day !! \ for me. for him.
NEIL JENNEY lives like a modern day . . Shaker.
austere, and . . FUNCTIONAL.
archival posters of his past shows – are on display.
he seems to be very much into antique American chairs – just like a Shaker, at heart.
those are some his ‘ugly’ paintings, that launched his career – in the background.
the space is huge & very traditional – in its own way. very respectful of the arts & ‘skills’ in general.
NEIL JENNEY, later . . hyper-realist / nature – work.
NEIL JENNEY also took time to converse with the masters, interestingly here is a Pablo / Pablo Picasso riff.
back in the gallery space, the space is huge. light-filled, quiet.
my son Theo (Cerigo) . . came along, with our American Akita puppy: Zora.
very well-behaved & loving . . her art. and of course, people !!
gallery associate, writer JASMINE LOBE, in front of her parents’ collaboration.
KATHLEEN GILJE & ROBERT LOBE, b. 1945
‘Appalachian Forest’, 2010.
87 x 87 x 9 inches. oil on canvas & hammered aluminum.
($140K)
detail, ‘Appalachian Forest’, KATHLEEN GILJE & ROBERT LOBE.
LEONARD DUFRESNE, b. 1941.
‘Sweeping’, 2011.
11.25 x 14.25 x 2 inches. acrylic on panel.
($16K)
feeling both very contemporary, and very turn of the century . . , Americana too.
I bet this guy is due for a . . big revival !!
just like WALTER ROBINSON.
collectors, pull out your checkbooks. that’s a very low ball price.
and a sweet series of paintings, no doubt. American realism – at its folk art heart / best.
last shot, just to show you how big, and awesome – the space is.
esp for viewing art.
Theo and Zora . . gaze on Mercer’s painting.
to the left:
LARRY KAGAN, b. 1946.
‘The Candidate’, 2016 – inspired by the recent presidential elections, no doubt.
55 x 40 x 13.5 inches. steel and wood.
($38K)
at extreme left:
KATHLEEN GILJE, b. 1945.
‘L.H.O.O.Q.’, 2015.
30.75 x 21.5 x 1.5 inches. restored oil on panel.
($80K)
PHOTOS: NANCY SMITH. NOVEMBER 20, 2016