|
For Immediate Release: Jess von der Ahe Paintings at Jay Grimm Gallery, Chelsea
Jay Grimm Gallery at 505 West 28th Street, New York, will hold an exhibition of paintings by Jess von der Ahe from October 4 through November 10, 2001. There will be a reception at the gallery on Thursday, October 4th from 6-8 P.M. Von der Ahe will exhibit several large pieces, one of them a triptych measuring 4 by 9 feet. This marks a dramatic increase in size for the artist, whose chosen media of blood and gold leaf restricts her ability to make big paintings. The expanded format allows von der Ahe to address issues of landscape through a deepening of pictorial space. While the meticulous attention to detail that characterizes her work remains, von der Ahe's new pieces need also to be seen from afar. Many references suggest themselves in regard to von der Ahe's work: Byzantine church interiors, Viennese Secessionism, and Asian screen painting, all of which make use of gold-leaf. Von der Ahe adds another layer of meaning through her use of blood. Collected from her own body, the blood is kept a deep, rich color by a protective coat of glossy resin. The surface complements the rich hues underneath, adding a shimmering luster that reflects the shape and movements of the viewer. While the use of blood would seem to be a confrontational act, von der Ahe has no political motives in these works. Rather, she is interested in creating something beautiful and autobiographical in a way that acknowledges and engages the history of art. Grady Turner, in his review of von der Ahe's previous Jay Grimm exhibition, made the following point: First and
foremost one is aware of von der Ahe's sophisticated sense of design.
The limpid elegance of these abstractions has an ingratiating appeal that
ultimately disarms any revulsion to the artist's bodily medium. In the upcoming show, von der Ahe continues to expand and elaborate on these ideas of beauty, self-expression and the relationship between the fragility of the body and the timelessness of art. Gallery hours
are Tuesday through Saturday, 11-6 P.M. and by appointment. Please call
the Gallery at 212.564.7662 for images or additional information, or visit
our website at www.jaygrimm.com.
 |
