Underpaintings: 'Resolve' at the Joshua Liner Gallery NYC

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

'Resolve' at the Joshua Liner Gallery NYC

Tony Curanaj
Nouveau Red (2011)
oil on canvas
18 X 36 in.

Opening this Thursday at the Joshua Liner Gallery in New York City is Resolve, a group show celebrating the "other side" of contemporary art. Organized by artist Tony Curanaj, the show features 25 artists (22 painters, 2 sculptors, and 1 photographer) whose works celebrate classical art traditions and training. This is the first in a series of annual, artist-curated exhibitions scheduled for the gallery.

“This exhibition," says Curanaj, "reflects a relatively narrow but varied slice of the art world, and presents it to an audience that may not be exposed to this segment of contemporary art practice. The title Resolve speaks of (the artists') determination and progression, qualities that imbue each of these works with beauty and technical virtuosity. From concept to execution, these contemporary masters... are completely engaged in the artist’s process and an artistic direction that is unwavering, regardless of fashion or trend.”

Those artists featured in the show include founders and teachers of some of today's best centers for training in the realist tradition. Schools such as the Water Street Atelier, the Grand Central Academy, the New York Academy of Art, the Ani Art Academy, and the Janus Collaborative are all represented, with works by the following artists:

For several reasons, this a very important show that should not be missed. First, Resolve is artist-curated; Curanaj has taken an active role in promoting contemporary realism, rather than just lamenting the position of classically-based art in the world. Second, this show marks another major inroad into the Chelsea Arts District. Since the mid-1990's, when the Modern artists left SoHo and re-established the Contemporary art scene in Chelsea, there has been little room for representational artists among the 350+ galleries in the area. If nearby, please make sure to stop in and support these artists, and the Joshua Liner Gallery for recognizing realism's place in the market.

Resolve will run from January 26th through February 25th, with an opening reception this Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Joshua Liner Gallery is located at 548 W. 28th Street, 3rd floor, in the Chelsea district of Manhattan. For more information, please visit www.joshualinergallery.com, or contact Elizabeth Kurita at 212.244.7415 or elizabeth@joshualinergallery.com.