Human self-domestication has surged with the rapid development of modern society, yet we remain tethered to our wild natural history. Evolution has laggeds behind this domestication, and continues to drive us with primitive instincts. “Nature versus Nurture” collects images that depict the tension between opposing forces, one wild and one domestic, that characterize the human psyche. Stephen Chopek’s stylishly straightforward collage Beauty represents the idea by juxtaposing an ancient skull with contemporary, lipstick primped lips. Similarly, Chopek’s Domestic combines an antiquated, fur-laden man with a modern appliance: the dishwasher. Chopek’s use of strikingly improbable images enhances the contrast between the primitive and the domesticated that are entwined within each of us.

Tim Okamura’s painting Siobhan (Whispering) illustrates the close relationship between the wild and domestic forces of human personality by repeating the subject in two forms. Their mutual entanglement is evident as one personality whispers deviously into the ear of the other. The sly smile on the recipient’s face tells us she is getting a diabolical idea. Often our two selves, the wild and the domestic, are conceived as being two faces of one moral coin; the one good and the other evil – although it is not always clear which is which. Okamura emphasizes this ambiguity in Double Portrait of Michelle. One version of the subject seems insecure, with arms crossed and face shaded by a hat. Her double is defiant, a hand placed assertively on her hip. This duality is echoed by Okamura’s backdrops of urban graffiti, which evokes the tension between modern city life and our untamed past.

In the extreme, this tension is destructive: Sarah Petruziello’s meticulous graphite drawing Soliloquy (Remorse) illustrates that the irreconcilable opposition of our two multiple selves personalities can result in emotional chaos. The drawing shows a troubled central figure being berated by three alter egos, one of which is literally a ‘negative’ image. From the symbolic to the literal, each of the artists in this exhibition explore how the disparate aspects of human nature coexist within us, in a way that is individually unique, yet cohesive in their narrative quality and dark undertones. In addition to the aforementioned artists, the exhibition will include George Bates, Greg Brickey, Niina Cochran, Linda Rae Coughlin, Jordan Eagles, Bonnie Gloris, Jordin Isip, Lau Klohe. Chang Park, Alex Picard, Nathan Pickett, Roger Sayre, Jack Soloman, and Kelly Vetter, whose work will support the theme of the exhibition through various mediums, including 2-D, 3-D, and sketchbook work. Much as a character in a cartoon that has an angel standing on one shoulder and a devil on the other, we must constantly decide which side to listen to. Why is the domesticated self more prevalent in some, while the primitive self dominates others? Is one, in fact, more desirable than the other? These are the questions explored in “Nature versus Nurture.”

Agneta Livijn “Lily Ponds”

A solo show.

October 16th-31st

Opening October 16th 1-4pm

Born in Sweden in 1955, Agneta Livijn spent her youth in Sweden and in France. She received her education at the Beckmans School of Design in Stockholm, at L’Academie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris and later at the San Francisco Art Institute in USA.

Art has always been a great interest of Agneta’s, and she has always been fascinated by the life and work of famous artist like Monet and Matisse. The years spent in France certainly had a great impact in defining her career as an artist and designer. In addition to possessing great creativity and talent, Agneta has found inspiration during her travels over the world.

In 2006, Agneta discovered the beauty of the water-lily flower and green leaves in Jardin Marjoirelle, Yves Saint Laurent’s garden in Marrakech, and the painted Lily Ponds lines then became a signature of her art.

Fighting to prove herself as an artist, Agneta recognized the difficulty of “making ends meet.” She thus decided to combine her artistic side with her design talent to create a ceramic line. Agneta sold her first caffe latte cups from her summer house in the south of Sweden, before her work was discovered by companies such as IKEA, Habitat and R.O.O.M, for which she then created exclusive lines.

While raising her three children and fulfilling her primary role as a mother, Agneta has establish herself as an artist and a business woman. In 1995 Agneta Livijn AB was launched and soon after, both her ceramic line and art could be found at selected retailers and private collections in Europes, Japan and USA.

Agneta is now an internationally recognized artist and ceramic designer. The Broadway gallery in NYC is scheduled to display her extraordinary work “Lily Ponds” with a prestigious solo show exhibition the 16 -31 October 2010.

“When I wake up, your painting is glimmering against me in a combination of harmonie and movement that makes me happy and free, just as you are!” —-M.Johansson

]]> http://www.broadwaygallerynyc.com/2010/07/lily-ponds-2/feed/ 1 http://www.broadwaygallerynyc.com/2010/06/the-united-states-artists-biennial-part-two/ http://www.broadwaygallerynyc.com/2010/06/the-united-states-artists-biennial-part-two/#comments Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:38:19 +0000 admin http://www.broadwaygallerynyc.com/?p=1365 Continue reading →]]> October  1‐15, with an opening reception: Saturday, October 2nd, 2010, 3 ‐ 6pm

The United States Artists Biennial is a group exhibition project that reunites the U.S participants from the Florence Biennial. The United States Biennial gathers together 50 artists whose work has been shown nationally, and internationally. Creating new global perspectives with their art, each artist will spotlight their work in the epicenter of the art world: New York City. The salon-style exhibition will features 50 artists from all over the world, now based in the United States in a unique and dynamic visual dialogue.

Featuring JoAnn Cox, Charlotte Martin, CLJ Lancaster, Elisha Ben Yitzhak, Enrique Trava, Frank Colson, Jaime Barrera, Janet Rutkowski, Jenik Cook, Jodat Maneli, Juan Carlos Robelo, Lee Ables, Malena Peon, Marah Rohovit, Matthew Anzak, Mitchell Johnson, MJ Bronz, Penteado Duda, Regina Miele, Ron Burkhardt, Sandra Nicolai, Sunhee Jung, Vincent Pepi, Katrin Alvarez

From October 1st The United States Artists Biennial part two will be on display at Broadway Gallery, in conjunction with several Internet projects, and a print catalog.  The exhibit will offer writers and viewers the chance to submit essays and comments on the nature and significance of biennials, fairs and public exposure for new and emerging artists. Featuring dozens of artists with new and old works, of all mediums, The United States Artists Biennial offers a platform for artists, curators, gallerists as well as writers to voice their ideas on the contemporary art world.

The United States Artists Biennial

September 16‐30, with an opening reception: Saturday, September 25, 2010, 3 ‐ 6pm

The United States Artists Biennial is a group exhibition project that reunites the U.S participants from the Florence Biennial. The United States Biennial gathers together 50 artists whose work has been shown nationally, and internationally. Creating new global perspectives with their art, each artist will spotlight their work in the epicenter of the art world: New York City. The salon-style exhibition will features 50 artists from all over the world, now based in the United States in a unique and dynamic visual dialogue.

Featuring Cecilia Del Toro, Bronwyn M. Towle, Flavia D’ Ascoli, Jake Beckman, Jane Ellen Murray, Paloma Bernaldo De Quiros, Rosalyn Engelman, Corinne Whitaker, Jackie Brenner, Shawn Man Roland, Emilia Garcia, Debra Vantuinen, Donna Butnik, Teri Starkweather, Ann Gores, Kimiko Fujimura, Yelena Aronson, Robert May, Kimberly Howland, Daniele Marin, Adrienne Yorinks, Richard Bailey, Lyubov Muravyeva, Nicholas Hernandez, Gulay Berryman, Irene Neal, Pavel Tayber, Kimberly Berg, Al Wildey, Seda Baghdasari, Ana Bikic, Elisha Ben Yitzhak, Roman Janeczko, Ronna S. Harris, Sheryl Westergreen, Gazala Chinwalla, Nancy Gray, Alicia Torres, Rachel Simmons, C. Drummond, K-Soul, Marilynn Gottlieb, Angela Hague, Patricia Secco, Amanda Petrash, Eduardo Chirino Said, Lesley Bursten, and Benjamin Boland.

From September 16‐30 The United States Artists Biennial will be on display at Broadway Gallery, in conjunction with several Internet projects, and a print catalog.  The exhibit will offer writers and viewers the chance to submit essays and comments on the nature and significance of biennials, fairs and public exposure for new and emerging artists. Featuring over 50 artists with new and old works, of all mediums, The United States Artists Biennial offers a platform for artists, curators, gallerists as well as writers to voice their ideas on the contemporary art world.