Press Release:
For Immediate Release Contact: Marina Hadley
marina@monkdogz.com Opening reception on Thursday July 19 Show runs until August 6, 2008
Monkdogz Urban Art’s final show of the season rolls out like a soft cool breeze on the pre-heated summer sidewalks of New York City. It brings together an exciting group of International artists whose work, styles, and interests range from painting, mixed media and sculpture and span the globe in both time and imagination.
Noël Dorado, France Dorado’s work bridges both the eloquence of couture fashion and the fine art of sculpture. With the fine eye of a jeweler, Noël’s dedication to line and detail allow his three dimensional creations to breath and dance within the viewers’ imagination.
Betina Jung, Denmark Jung’s application of paint on canvas brings forth what appear to be mythical creatures searching for the road to connect the erotic instincts of both men and women to society and its pre conceived notion of morals and values, and the individual’s base instinct to seek freedom and acceptance. Within this battle ground conflict the viewer becomes a participant in the understanding they are not alone and the world becomes a warmer, more interesting and accepting place to live.
Joyce DiBona, U.S.A. Texas based DiBona’s life form tattoo sculpture creates a language all its own. Viewed extensively within the United States the work is finding its way into the International community’s collective awareness. Her work using images, symbolism, and the written word tells a story that is both powerful and beautiful. Each work is an exhibition on its own right. Her recent show at Basel in collaboration with Pietro Franesi and the upcoming show at the New York Art Biennial will give viewers more opportunity to see the development of this exciting artist.
Bjørn Eriksen, Denmark Eriksen’s classical figurative human forms, due to the artist’s use of color and structure, at times appear to be almost supernatural and free floating in a space all their own. They reach out and hold the viewer by simultaneously projecting a serious and whimsical expression. As if trying to communicate something that is both profound and irrelevant, leaving the viewer with the feeling of waking up from a dream you can’t quite remember the details of and at the same time desperately feeling the need to remember and understand.
James Armstrong, U.S.A. There is a simple inherent beauty that is captured in Armstrong’s glass sculptors that just touches the viewer’s heart. Although each piece is unique and impressive in structure and design, the work exhibits its own sense of freedom and movement as if watching a natural cloud formation or waves break on a sandy shoreline as the sun rises. There is a feeling of the past with his work; not just with time and history but within the viewer’s own life that is embraced like a warm memory. 547 W 27 Street New York, NY 10001 - 212 216 0030
547 W 27 Street New York, NY 10001 - 212 216 0030
Kasper Holten, Denmark Holten is a master of incorporating fun into highly erotic art. Mixing fetish experience with gnome like creatures thus producing work that is both sublime and extraordinarily unique. The artist is a testament to imagination and self will run riot.
Karina Sala, Argentina A young Buenos Aires counter-culture artist whose works are designed to highlight trends and movements of the X, Y and Z generations in style and attitude. Her current works are morphing into a somewhat more personal reflection of sexuality using the human form to shed pretense and chart self discovery.
Marcus van Soest, Holland Multiple dimensions intertwine themselves to create a psychedelic environment where humor and mysticism live side by side to illustrate his sense of reality. The explosive use of color, symbolism and definition by this artist puts him in league with that of a master story teller.
Randy Thurman, U.S.A. Thurman’s eclectic style of art moves in a multitude of directions from figurative to geometric abstraction and digital expression. Each individual work is driven to build a relationship between the artist, viewer and the expression of the finished work.
Jonna Pedersen, Denmark Pedersen’s structural forms of buildings and man-made products give the viewer a refreshing opportunity to see the everyday, slightly askew and much more interestingly. Her choice of color and line give the works a dream-like quality that seduces the viewer into participating with the work.
Carl McGrady, U.S.A. McGrady’s greatest influence is felt in the Ukyio-e masters of Japan. There is a timeless quality to simple yet eloquent lines of the past. By fusing western materials and historical ideas McGrady captures the best of both worlds.
Paul Rousso, U.S.A. Rousso’s unique ability to take two dimensional works to the next level and create three dimensional sculpted works is amazing in both process and visual experience. Having said that, Rousso may be best known for his commitment to producing some of the most innovative collage work in North America.
Kathy Ostman-Magnusen, U.S.A. Ostman-Magnusen is a multi talented artist whose primary focus encompasses the female subject, covering their dreams, fantasies, and day-to-day lives. Her style of impressionism and realism using a variety of materials from gold, silk, glass and paint allows her to give each work a distinct sense of life and purpose.
Isabelle Ribot, Brazil A French artist living in Brazil for the past seven years, her current work evolved from a series of urban landscapes that produced an alter ego named “Idoru” who is both a reality and virtual reality. As the artist’s work evolves so does Idoru define herself. The genius of this concept is evident in the extraordinary imagination and execution of these powerful works.
Steve Reinhart, U.S.A. It would be easy enough to say Reinhart is one of the more exciting artists to emerge from the New York contemporary arena, but the power and impact of his work gives it a timeless and explosive value all of its own. This is work that really needs to be seen in person to appreciate not only in scope but the details that permeate the canvas texture. Reinhart’s commitment to his work destines him for great things.
Hans Meertens Meertens’ work has the ability to engage, seduce, and haunt the viewer through his raw application of material and reflective imagination. Meertens breathes energy into his figurative forms to the point they command their own identity in a living environment and allowing the viewer an intimate relationship with his subjects that live on long after the encounter with his work.
New York, International Art Exhibit
Art is in the air...especially in New York!
More Info:
To see more about Monkdogz and their artists check out the Monkdogz site of course, but also check out my Monkdogz Squidoo! I have featured works of some of the artists in the Zepher show as well as Jean Marc Calvet, Robert Hogge, Sebastien Aurillion and others.
http://www.squidoo.com/newyorkartgalleriesA special congrats to Ed McCormack of "Gallery and Studio" Magazine at the end of this email as well.
Peace,
Kathy
PS.. be sure to forward this onto your friends.. thanks!
AND If you DO go to any of these openings? Plant a big sloppy kiss on Bob! tee hee!
SOME MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS IN ZEPHER ALONG WITH THEIR LINKS:
Randy Thurman -USA
http://www.thurmanart.org/http://philbrodieband.com/muso_randy_thurman.htmhttp://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Thurman/artist_thurman.htmRandy Thurman is an artist, musician, composer, poet, writer, etc. living and working in rural south east Tennessee. Randy's art has exhibited at Monkdogz Urban Art, Gallery 181 and the
Jay Etkin Gallery just to name a few. Randy's music has traveled throughout the US and broad in London, Belgium, and Australia. "There are two kinds of people in the world, and I am neither." --RT
Isabelle Ribot -France
http://www.isabelleribot.art.br/http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Ribot/artist_ribot.html "as longas telas são histórias, misturam imagens, escritas, cores e códigos, descrevem viajens e experiências com um estranho e magnético olhar..."
"The screens are long stories, mixed images, papers, colors and codes, travel and describe experiences with a strange look and magnetic
Kathy Ostman-Magnusen - Hawaii,USA
http://www.kathysart.comhttp://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Magnusen/artist_magnusen.htmhttp://www.monkdogz.com/Monkdogz%20Artist%20Links/artistsO.htmIn every single one of my paintings my objective is to 'feel them breathing'. To let each one reveal their own vision or message. I am often astounded as their presence unfolds & I am met with who they are. I then realize that who 'they' are, defines me as well. My hope is that my paintings & sculptures relate to you, their audience & that they give you the message you need for your own heart and soul.
Other shows Kathy has done with Monkdogz:
"Seven"
"Damez"
"Flashing Flesh"
Joyce DiBona USA
http://www.joycedibona.comMonkdogz Urban Art in NYC, Art Basel, Miami, NY Biennale 2009
Austin Artist Joyce DiBona: upcoming shows in New York City and collaboration with International Curator/Director Pietro Franesi
Longtime Austin Artist Joyce DiBona will be one of fourteen artists featured at Monkdogz Urban Art in New York City for “Zephyr” July 17 through August 6, 2008. Monkdogz Urban Art is located in the heart of Chelsea, NYC. It is an International Gallery dedicated to showcasing cutting edge established and emerging artists:
“History has dictated that occasionally windows of opportunity open within the art world. In the 1930s, artists like Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock just to name a couple, were afforded a platform to exhibit their work in New York City. The reception worldwide was significant. Again, in the early 1970s, artists like Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring were afforded the same opportunity.We believe that as we go into the 21st century, the window opens once again but this time on a more international scale. The world today is very much a global village. Distances, time zones and different languages are no longer the barriers that they once were.” www.monkdogz.com
Art Basel Miami 2008 : December 4-7, 2008
Joyce DiBona will be collaborating with Pietro Franesi on an installation for Art Basel Miami 2008.
Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 38 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design.
www.artbaselmiamibeach.comNY Biennale Art 2009: September 27-October 25, 2009
Ms. DiBona will once again collaborate with Pietro Franesi, the Director of the NY Biennale Art 2009, on one of the permanent exhibition projects, “Deus Vult”.
http://www.nybiennaleart.orgJames M. Armstrong USA
http://www.armstrong-art.comhttp://www.monkdogz.com/Monkdogz%20Artist%20Links/artistsA.htmGlass is the current medium that fuels my creative passion. My interest in glass began when I spent several years working at The Peltier Glass Company in Ottawa, Illinois, U.S.A. There I learned about the versatility and creative potential that glass has to offer. The possibilities are practically limitless. My abstract work in glass is an improvisation in which I seek form and emotion. I want the work to appear to "come alive." I think of it as the transfer of my life energy into the glass. That is what I want others to see and feel. The shapes I create transport my consciousness from the immediate, external world to an inner realm of symbols and emotions. It is there, in my subconscious, where my work derives its meaning.
Bjoern Eriksen -Denmark
http://www.eriksen.be/http://www.eriksen.be/english.asphttp://www.monkdogz.com/Monkdogz%20Artist%20Links/artistsE.htmBjorn Eriksen is a mature artist, born in 1957. At the age of seven he was fascinated by Picasso's Guernica, in which the spirit shaped as a shaken and sad young person with a candle in his hand, together with a terrified, wounded horse, sees how a brutal bull, symbolizing the dominating oppressing powers of our time, has slain the future formed as a child. As a result, the mother cries out her sorrow and anger to the bull's face. The horse is Pegasus of the art and Eriksen has vanished into it and he has never returned. Can you stand beside your time? Yes! You can. You can be neutral. But then, how can you make anything but decorative and abstract geometric art. There is enough of this. But Eriksen has also sensed something: it is about holding on to the light and not give up on reality - though it is tough. The man who has fought the bull on the back of Pegasus is surely lying dead on the ground but with a little flower in his hand. He succeeded in making his art. How does Eriksen's flower look like? He paints in an expressive style that makes a strong impact. It consists of lonely faces. No wonder. Yet they deny to give up. Some hide behind masks. It is difficult to reveal yourself. One is looking to the sky saying "I don't care". But that is not enough for most of his faces.
Karina Sala -Buenos Aires, Argentina
http://www.karingasala.tkhttp://www.monkdogz.com/Monkdogz%20Artist%20Links/artistsS.htmBorn in Buenos Aires, Argentina, her education and career highlights began with her earlier artistic activity in the year 1972 at the sculpture atelier owned by Maria Rosa Frigerio, where she stayed for two years. After that, she studied at Jorge Demerijian's atelier for six years. She studies at the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes Prilidiano Pueyrredón with a specialized professorship in painting. For two more years, she studied drawing techniques at the Asociación Estímulo de Bellas Artes with Carlos Terribili. She attends several workshops and art history courses. In the year 2004 she was able to reach top of the world knowledge directly from the kingdom of arts: The city of Paris, in France.
Betina Jung -Denmark
http://www.betinajung.comhttp://www.gallerijung.dk/http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Jung/artist_jung.htmhttp://www.monkdogz.com/Monkdogz%20Artist%20Links/artistsJ.htmBetina Jung is an abstract painter, who paints in forms full of energy, in a directly, raw and strong personal way. Energy, women, hidden bodies and elements of stagnationmoments. The compositions often have more than one center - because it is made in a lot of coating. You can not see it all at first - you have to look closely and discover behind the immediate.
Jonna Pedersen -Denmark
http://www.jonnapedersen.dk CURRENT EXHIBITION:
THE LOVERS AND THE STREET OF THE CITY
17 May - 15 June 2008
together with Bjørn Eriksen in two places:
KUNSTPAKHUSET
Lilletorv 5, 7430 Ikast
Galleriet Jørgen Østergaard
Østergade 44
7430 Ikast
The lovers and the streets of the city
By Ole Lindboe
The artist couple Jonna Pedersen and Bjørn Eriksen demonstrate their sparkling co-operation with a new exhibition.
There is the city and there is its people. Buildings and bodies. People meet and separate and the buildings stand as meaningful scenes around it all. That is the take-off for the exhibition that Jonna Pedersen and Bjørn Eriksen invites to at Galleri Jørgen Østergaard and Kunstpakhuset in Ikast , Denmark .
The two artists are essentially different. Bjørn Eriksen classical expressive and intense. Jonna Pedersen modern with confident sense of the hidden language of the facades. And yet they meet somewhere in the painting. In a coalision between the inner and outer side of the existence.
World of art
FAMOUS 100 Contemporary Artists
103 selected artists from 56 countries including Jonna Pedersen.
Over 500 works.
2006. 232 color pages.
Text in English, dimensions: 22x22 cm, hardcover
Publisher: World of art
Editor and author: Petru Russu
ISBN 9189685113
List price: (USD): $69.90
For sale via Barnes & Noble, Borders, Amazon, Books-A-Million and Wal-Mart.
Marcus Van Soest -Amsterdam
http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/Van%20Soest/artist_vansoest.htmhttp://www.monkdogz.com/Monkdogz%20Artist%20Links/artistsS.htmEternally searching for a universal language, Marcus describes his inner urge to paint as his ultimate passion... Derived by the inspiration of life and the bizarre times he finds himself a part of. Born and raised in the Hague, he has been expressing himself through his art since he was old enough to hold a pen...Marcus' desire to transform the beholder and elevate them from reality is surely fulfilled through his work...Multiple dimensions mingle and intertwine to create a psychedelic nature where mysticism and humor depicted side by side illustrate his reality...The paintings contain an ever present mystical overtone that draws us unwillingly into his surreal dimension. Each new painting is regarded by Marcus as a fresh challenge ; anything is possible and likely in his vision...although no two of Marcus's paintings are alike, his undeniable style is ever recognizable through his dream-like reality...The language spoken weaves a tale of modern symbolism highlighted by his explosive usage of color...
Steve Reinhart - USA
http://www.stevereinhart.com/http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
http://www.monkdogz.com/chelseagallery/artistart/reinhart/artist_reinhart.htmlhttp://www.monkdogz.com/Monkdogz%20Artist%20Links/artistsR.htm" Its not dark yet, but its getting there"
Mixed Mediums on Canvas
7'-0" x 18'-0"
2007
Through the years artists have painted their interpretations of everyday objects, subjects, and countless landscapes by using recognizable shapes and forms to relay their messages. Vincent Van Gogh’s landscapes are truly original and so are Monet’s; each of which have there own distinctive personality, characteristics and purpose. However, one thing has always remained the same regardless of the artist, the use of forms and shapes to create their objects. Some have chosen to abstract their shapes, but the artist is still using recognizable shapes to some degree, to represent a specific image. Status quo.
Most people look at art for something they can recognize and the artist usually abides by painting something familiar to capture the interest of the viewer. A bright summer day for example is painted with a blue sky and round yellow sun. We are all familiar with these shapes and compositions so the artist has left us with just that – a bright summer day, painting. Status quo.
Can the viewer experience this same bright summer day if all recognizable shapes, forms and compositions are left out of the painting? More importantly can an artist represent a specific place or object without the use of form – even if abstracted?
This is my place in art. I have chosen to remove all forms and recognizable shapes as well as traditional tools (paint brushes) from my compositions and create a sense of place or mood and even imagery through the use of color. Freedom.
Noel Dorado-France
http://www.noeldorado.comhttp://www.monkdogz.com/Monkdogz%20Artist%20Links/artistsD.htm“His father, sculptor, transmitted his love for the materials and his mother, a dressmaker, the elegance of her Spanish roots, he has kept the unrestrained impulse to plug banderillas into resignation…”
Dominique Bunuel “Steps magazine”
Noel Dorado is a very talented Parisian Designer whose skills range from tailoring for the Monarchy of Luxembourg or Air France, to painting and sculpting or stylizing gallery openings, convert events… he designs jewelry collection for famous French jewelers, cosmetics for companies like Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gauthier and LVMH.
Much luck and success to Ed McCormack on his review for the Pulitzer Prize! WOW huh?
Mr. McCormack has written several reviews about various Monkdogz artists. Congrats to Ed McCormack! ~ Editor of Gallery and Studio Magazine.
http://www.galleryandstudiomagazine.com/Aloha!
Kathy Ostman-Magnusen
free art gifts
http://www.kathysart.com
