Monkdogz Artblog

Foley Gallery is one of those gems that you stumble across in Chelsea where you find consistently good shows that are a little different. Before you even walk into the exhibition, you notice the Alexandre Orion shadow graffiti on the doors which sets the tone.

The current exhibition is a solo show of the Italian, Andrea Mastrovito titled “love is a Four Letter Word” featuring a collage and aniline of paper on canvas. 9 large separate paintings have been hung together to create a frieze that wraps around the gallery telling a story of innocence fading as love grows. The scenes are depicted using only the cut out letters L-O-V-E to create the images, colored very vibrantly with aniline. Mastrovito’s work is technically very skillful achieving amazing depth and movement, and the over all result is very dynamic.

Mastrovito explains:
“The use of “love,” the word, the symbol, involves a deconstruction through repetition, which exposes the quality, meaning, and intricacy of the experience and process of love. Through his images, love becomes more than just a word; it takes on a visceral quality. The word “love” unravels and the letters multiply, first melting into a chaotic sea, and then re-shaping into transformed individuals.”

This conceptualization of love married to the fine imagery and psychedelic colors creates a refreshing exhibition which alone would be worth the visit, but there is an added bonus. In the project gallery, there are three other artists, Tom Gallant, Daniel Alcalá and Rob Carter who are also in the New York Museum of Art and Design’s group show Slash: Paper Under the Knife which continues until April 4, 2010 in good company with Andrea Kocks that I reviewed last week.

Tom Gallant’s work in particular is a beautiful and intricate paper creation, cut and assembled to resemble an elegant stained glass window but which exposes a salacious surprise on closer inspection. It is very clever.

Daniel Alcalá’s work of graphite on cut paper sees beauty in the very simple and elegant silhouette of building construction. And Rob Carter’s video “This England?” is a clever use of video to add movement to cut paper depicting a Monty Pythonesque view of well known destinations in England accompanied by famous quotes, commentary and music.

All in all Foley Gallery provides good value for time spent in this exhibition that is on view until December 5th, 2009 at 547 West 27th Street, (5th Floor) New York.