This March LeBasse Projects opens a solo show for Greek artist Alexandros Vasmoulakis but that’s not the only thing keeping us busy. The LBP artists are keeping busy worldwide…

Edwin Ushiro (pictured) opens his first NY solo show with Sloan Fine Art on the 24th. Nate Frizzell also has a solo show, his debut in the UK at Bo.Lee Gallery in Bath. From what I hear, both are already selling their shows on preview so better reach out to the galleries now. Eric Fortune just sold out his mini-show at the High Fructose curated exhibit as well…so better get on the list for his next show with us in October.

Join us in LA this Saturday for:

Alexandros Vasmoulakis.
‘Is Everybody Happy?’
LeBasse Projects
Saturday March 20th, 7-10pm

Ally Springs, 2009, ink & lacquers on paper on panel, 23.5″ x 23.5″

I love, love, love these!  Christmas is coming….

Preview link: http://sloanfineart.com/09Berens/index.html

Sloan Fine Art is pleased to present The Only Living Boy in New York, the New York solo exhibition debut of Dutch artist Chris Berens.

Chris Berens began having visions of the ethereal world he paints when he was still a child. After graduating from the Academy of Art and Design in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 1999, he set up makeshift studios in several semi-abandoned buildings in the countryside near his childhood home and set out to capture and reproduce the images in his mind. Unable to render them with any straightforward technique, Berens created his own complex and time-consuming method.

For each work, the artist begins by painting small scenes and figures in ink, bistre and varnish on glossy paper. The images remain wet for days as Berens perfects and repeats them, creating multiple versions of each image on a page. Once completed, he cuts up each sheet, reserves the desirable elements and peels away the clear coating layer from the underlying paper. The remaining semi-transparent images are stacked, layered and collaged onto panel to create the final work. Each piece is executed entirely by hand. No digital or photographic elements are used.

The resulting mysterious, soft focus, paintings blend elements of childhood fantasy and contemporary apocalyptic angst, interjected with lush nods to aspects, environments and genres of the Dutch masters. Endangered animals escort mythological creatures across cloudbanks, shimmering as if in a fevered dream. Beautifully distorted human figures defy the laws of nature as they float through blurry European cityscapes. Ships manned by unlikely fisherman, sail on iridescent waters set against epic skies. These works are bold, layered and complex, yet gentle and inviting.

Chris Berens has exhibited in solo shows at Jaski Gallery in Amsterdam, Roq la Rue in Seattle and most recently at the Noord Brabants Museum in ’s-Hertogenbosch. He lives and works in Amsterdam.

Reception: Wednesday, December 16th, 6 to 8 pm. December 16, 2009 to January 23, 2010.  Wednesday – Sundays 12-6pm.

128 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10002
www.sloanfineart.com
212.477.1140

Rumors abound that LeBasse Projects is going to be putting on a show in NY, so don’t let my recent visit this past weekend change anything. I spent a whirlwind weekend visiting galleries, meeting fun people and dropping in for a few studio visits.

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To instill a sense of levity in these somewhat dismal times, the people at Sloan Fine Art NYC decided to execute a “fun for all” atmosphere with their current exhibit. In “+2″, which runs from June 20th to July 18th, twenty four artists (who all have done group or solo shows at the gallery in the past) were invited to exhibit. Those artists were then told to invite two more artists who they owed favors to, wanted to give a break to, or simply just wanted to meet. The only stipulation: none of the work can be larger than 10″X10″!

A few of the artists confirmed include: Seonna Hong, Morgan Slade, Mark Ryden, Kristen Schiele, Austin McCormick, and Chris Berens. Artist’s reception with lemonade and cookies will be held on June 20th, between 4 to 6 pm.

Sloan Fine Art
128 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002

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