After
Adam
A stunning
exhibition of male nude studies by three exceptional
British Artists:
Peter D'Alessandri BA
(Hons)
Enzo Marra MA
Sue Vesely MA rca
Three Cups Gallery
Three Cups Walk, Ely,
Cambridgeshire CB7 4AN
14th February to 2nd April 2007
***PREVIEW
RECEPTION ON 13th FEBRUARY 2007***
One thing you are immediately aware of when you consider the wonderful portfolio of Peter D'Alessandri, a figurative Artist based in Essex, is that his nude studies and portraits have a quality that speaks for it's self. With an impressive skill for creating a distinct 'mood' with each painting, D'Alessandri almost seems to make light and shade the real subject of his work. The pensive figure in each painting might only be a part of the canvas on which he carefully creates these moods. Astonishingly, D'Alessandri has, until recently, been selling these beautiful paintings on internet auction sites to try and earn a living. He recently won first prize at the Braintree Summer Open Art Competition and we are extremely confident that this is just the start for him. We are pleased to be taking examples of D'Alessandri's work to the Great Art Christmas Fair at Alexandra Palace, London, at the end of this year and he features here in his first selected group show as part of 'After Adam' at Three Cups Gallery in Ely.
The beautiful and dramatic, dream-like paintings of Susan Vesely are emotionally charged and frequently strange. With cues from such Renaissance Artists as Rosso and Bronzino, Vesely's work is loosely in an Italian Mannerist style. She creates dark icons worthy of El Greco's 'Laocoon' (1610), but with a softness reminiscent of Michaelangelo's faded Sistine Chapel ceiling frescos. Expertly, Vesely dissects and reflects the monumental figures in her paintings, treating them as structures to contain the emotional life existing within the body of each figure. That is not to say there is anything derivative going on here- Vesely absolutely belongs to the now. Her composition and subject matter have a timeless quality & a confidence that warrants the historic references, in our opinion, but the narrative is entirely relevant to the 21st Century. The fact that Vesley's angels and demons are fighting virtually the same battle in the 21st Century as they did in the 16th & 17th Centuries, under the Renaissance & Mannerist Artists is either reassuring or worrying, depending on your perspective.
Enzo Marra is based in the vibrant city of Brighton on the south coast of England. He produces succinct, but evocative (and sometimes disturbing) portraiture. Often considering his subjects from a slightly voyeuristic perspective, he leaves us with the feeling that we are watching someone without their knowledge. It's that voyeuristic tendency we all seem to have in common that forces us to keep looking at his paintings, compelling us to invade these moments of solitude. Occasionally though, for just a moment, you get the feeling you are the one being watched. Marra generally uses undiluted oils to create his work. He uses a contemporary blend of influences from german expressionism and the London school. We are very pleased to be working with Marra at this exciting stage of his career and look forward to exhibiting his exceptional portfolio over the coming months.
