Beyond the Mirror

Group Show

Stacy Arezou Mehrfar Heide Hatry

Nikolina Kovalenko Emilio Martinez

Nico Mazza Verdiana Patacchini

Matthew Rosenquist Kathy Stecko

Abhishek Tuiwala

June 20th - July 26th

Opening night: June 20th, 6-8 pm

Beyond the Mirror, a captivating collection of portraiture art featuring an international eclectic group of contemporary artists who explore the evolving concept of the portrait through the innovative lens of informal portraiture. The exhibition will run from June 20th to July 26th, 2024 offering visitors a unique journey into the essence of self-mirroring and the subtle reflections of the artist within their work.

"Beyond the Mirror” challenges viewers to ask themselves: "Looking in the mirror, what do I see?" This introspective inquiry serves as a foundation of the exhibit, showcasing how artists interpret and depict the human visage. While each portrait represents an unrecognized individual, it invariably carries imprints of the artist's own identity and perception.

This phenomenon illustrates that even in informal portraiture, there is an element of self-mirroring. Throughout the creative process, these artists delve deeply into their own psyches while reflecting on their experiences, emotions, and perceptions. This mental journey allows artists to imbue each portrait with their essence, rendering every piece a true reflection of its creator. The intimate dialogue between the artist's inner world and the subject's exterior image results in rich, multifaceted portrayals that resonate deeply with viewers.

The exhibit features a diverse array of artists, each artist brings a unique perspective and style, contributing to the exhibit's rich tapestry of interpretations of the human visage.

Emilio Martinez: Honduran born known for his macabre fantasies featuring fanged beasts and lurid characters, Martinez's allegorical images evoke cautionary tales and fairy tales, urging viewers to consider the depth beyond appearances. Nikolina Kovalenko: Her portraits depict women as astronauts—intrepid explorers navigating their inner landscapes and embracing new potentials. Growing up in Eastern Europe, Kovalenko challenges traditional portrayals of women, highlighting their inner struggles and resilience. Heide Hatry: This New York-based German artist is celebrated for her provocative and deeply emotive work. In her latest project, ICONS IN ASH, Hatry explores the ancient art of commemorating the dead through charged ceremonial objects intended to preserve their spirits. Kathy Stecko: A Brooklyn-based ceramic sculptor, Stecko's evocative work features porcelain figures with removable masks that distort and exaggerate the human body, celebrating irregularities and inviting viewers to engage with the idiosyncrasies that define individuality. Verdiana Patacchini: An Italian visual artist known for her innovative use of paper to create seemingly three-dimensional yet flat sculptures. Patacchini blends playful creativity with profound cultural commentary, offering a fresh perspective on monumentality and artistic heritage. Nico Mazza: Base in Argentina Mazza integrates strong pictorial and sculptural elements with textiles to explore the construction and deconstruction of the body. Her pieces challenge socio-political norms of gender and sexual identity, inviting viewers to reconsider their own narratives. Abhishek Tuiwala is an Indian-born multimedia conceptual artist whose work delves into themes of identity, time, perception, and social constructs. By deconstructing and recontextualizing familiar elements, Tuiwala challenges preconceptions and ignites fresh perspectives. His artistic objective is to bridge the gap between art and life, inviting viewers to question the status quo, reflect on their beliefs, and confront the complexities of our world. Stacy Arezou Mehrfar: First-generation Iranian American photography closely examines the symbiotic relationships between the individual and the collective, place and belonging, and memory and narrative. Mehrfar visualizes the physical and emotional implications of reimagining home, belonging, and community. Matthew Rosenquist is a Los Angeles-based artist who expertly melds his background in painting and woodworking to create striking painted wood sculptures, transforming raw slabs of wood into fully realized, life-size human forms through a vigorous and evolutionary approach. His work offers a unique perspective on the self-conscious construction and projection of identity and attitude, delving into the concept of social 'position'—a distinction from mere pose or posturing—relative to place, peers, and society at large.

Throughout the creative process, these artists delve deeply into their own psyches while reflecting on their experiences, emotions, and perceptions. Their engagement with the subjects leads to a profound connection that transcends superficial representation. This mental journey allows artists to imbue each portrait with their essence, rendering every piece a true reflection of its creator. The intimate dialogue between the artist's inner world and the subject's exterior image results in rich, multifaceted portrayals that resonate deeply with viewers.