Brian O'Leary, Gus Yero, Proximity Game, Oct. 11 - Nov. 17
Proximity Game is an inspired opportunity to play with juxtaposition, both from a curatorial standpoint and for the artists themselves. The raw, visceral and seemingly spontaneous application of paint that Yero employs in his acrylics on canvas often complements or creates tension with O'Leary's crisp, pristine works of tar and oil paint on clean wood panels.
Yero, a discerning colorist, activates juxtaposition within his work each time he applies one color next to another. What happens when these colors overlap or lay
flush against one another is a primary subject of his work. Yero's paintings eschew traditional methods of aesthetic decision making, in which beauty, balance and composition assert a hierarchical dominance over random gestures and mistakes. Yero prefers provisional exploration to established art market values, such as carefully planned compositions, layered meanings, and coherently expressed themes. As a result his paintings can convey a sense of doubt.
flush against one another is a primary subject of his work. Yero's paintings eschew traditional methods of aesthetic decision making, in which beauty, balance and composition assert a hierarchical dominance over random gestures and mistakes. Yero prefers provisional exploration to established art market values, such as carefully planned compositions, layered meanings, and coherently expressed themes. As a result his paintings can convey a sense of doubt.
O'Leary experiments with opposing surfaces, matt vs glossy, for example, within a single work. He has devised several methods of applying paint and tar to his mostly wood supports and places various diverse patterns of his unique invention side by side.
Gus Yero and Brian O'Leary both live and work in the Hamptons. Does their proximity to each other and to the gallery reveal itself in some uncanny and unconscious aspect of their work? Proximity Game asks just that.
Neither artist shies away from experimentation, which allows for a wide range of diversity in form and palette among the works on display. The installation itself partakes in the game; works by both artists are interspersed throughout the gallery rather than grouped according to likeness or by author. Any tension or complementary effect resulting from the placement of the work is a bonus.
Gus Yero studied textile design at Parsons School of Design and painting at The Art Students League. He currently lives and works in NYC and East Hampton.
Brian O'Leary attended the School of Visual Arts in NYC and has worked as a studio assistant to Roy Lichtenstein and Julian Schnabel. He has won the painting prize by the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
The exhibition will continue through Nov. 17. For more information, pricing or images reply to sara@saranightingale.com
images: Brian O'Leary, Night, oil paint on panel, 17" x 17", Brian O'Leary, Tree II, oil paint on panel, 17" x 17"
