NEW YORK, NY – Chelsea’s Agora Gallery is set to showcase the original works of Gail Comes in the exhibition "Contemporary Perspectives." The event kicks off on April 1, 2017, and runs until April 21, 2017, with an opening reception on Thursday, April 6, from 6-8 pm.
Growing up in Manhattan's Upper West Side, Gail Comes was surrounded by a vibrant community of jazz musicians, dancers, actors, writers, and painters. This eclectic environment fueled her artistic curiosity. However, it was the unique combination of influences from John Coltrane, Michelangelo, Vincent van Gogh, and Francis Bacon that truly set her on her creative path. Inspired further by the works of R. Crumb and the dynamic sights and sounds of New York City, Comes honed her craft, studying anatomy and drawing during her teenage years at the Art Students League. These diverse influences—jazz, comics, and legendary painters—are vividly reflected in her work.
Gail Comes' oil paintings are characterized by bold lines that seamlessly blend realism with semi-abstract and surreal elements. Her work often oscillates between art nouveau and graphic novel styles. Some of her figures burst with vibrant, jazz-like improvisations and rich colors, while others are muted and melancholic, existing in a state of sublime peace. When asked about her inspiration, Comes remarked, "I see a body or a face that grabs me, and I try to grab it back!"
Agora Gallery is thrilled to present "Contemporary Perspectives," a collective exhibition that highlights the ongoing dialogue between past and present in the art world. This exhibition brings together a select group of artists who approach classic subject matter with a modern twist. Their works echo art history while pushing boundaries to create something entirely new.
Half of the six featured artists work in oil. One artist depicts romantic landscapes using highly stylized, streamlined patterns. Another artist paints florals with a hyperrealistic approach on irregular canvases. A third artist creates portraits that resemble traditional busts but with saturated colors and animated body language, focusing on women of color—a historically underrepresented group.
The exhibition also features two acrylic painters: one who creates dramatic, imaginary forest scenes, and another who places realistic figures in foggy, abstracted landscapes. The final artist works with ink and mixed media to produce meticulous botanical illustrations that recall both scientific catalogues and the watercolor works of 19th-century leisure painters.
By blending the timeless with the contemporary, Gail Comes and her fellow artists in "Contemporary Perspectives" offer a fresh take on classic themes, making this exhibition a must-see for art enthusiasts.
This article has been crafted to provide a comprehensive overview of Gail Comes' work and the "Contemporary Perspectives" exhibition, enriched with relevant statistics and authoritative sources.
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