John Nieman Explores the Gap Between Image and Meaning in the Persistence of Form at Agora Gallery

Chelsea, NY, November 20, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Chelsea’s Agora Gallery will feature New York Realist, John Nieman, in The Persistence of Form. The exhibition is scheduled to run from November 20, 2009 through December 11, 2009 (opening reception: Thursday, December 3, 2009).

John Nieman’s crisp paintings of everyday objects are beautiful in their own right, but he doesn’t stop there. Still lifes of fruit, food, and other items are accompanied by written lists of celebrities, famous places, and consumer goods. Using wry humor spiced with visual puns, Nieman explores the gap between image and meaning. His exceptional handling of paint and interesting wordplay make him a unique voice in the contemporary art world. Textures, reflections, and shadows are rendered beautifully; gentle washes are paired with vibrant hues of orange, crimson, and violet. Nieman’s realist approach is impeccable, capturing the subtle variations of the color of a crushed soda can, crinkled wax paper, or a delicious hero sandwich. But it is the words running through the imagery that will keep audiences ruminating about a piece. "It’s a tribute to pop culture," he explains, "and incorporates a list of relevant personalities or phrases, anchored by an oversized painting of everyday objects."

Nieman has exhibited his work throughout the northeastern United States and resides in New York.

Pulsing with a vibrant energy, Agora Gallery’s The Rhythm of Color displays the expressive central role that an artist’s palette plays in the creation of a painting. Crafting their personal inspirations in a variety of styles, this exhibition features a collection of painters that are united in their understanding of the intimate relationship between color and emotion. Persistence of Form daringly explores the experience of our modern world through the eyes of the artist. Beautifully crafted imagery abounds in this choice selection of paintings as the artists inject wit, fantasy, and sensitivity into their vision of humanity. The works are raw and physical, daring to examine inwardly while holding an unadulterated mirror to the world to expose both the ills and the joys to be found. Color of Transformation is a wonderfully diverse grouping of contemporary painters working at the forefront of their medium. With an adept eye for form, the featured artists swathe their imagery in wonderfully rich colors to maximize both visual and emotional reactions. With influences ranging from music to the natural world, visitors will enjoy exploring and interpreting the messages so brilliantly expressed through the power of color. Exhibiting a wide range of contemporary art, Metamorphosis dives into a vast cauldron of fiery inspiration. We see the humanness behind the form, we find joys, fears, intrigue, and power. There is an expanse of inventive styles, as elemental forms and dynamic figures transform the desire for understanding into action, in the same manner of the early explorers. To make the unknown, known: to see what lies over that horizon.

Exhibition Dates: November 20, 2009 – December 11, 2009
Reception: Thursday, December 03, 2009, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Gallery Location: 530 West 25th St, New York City
Gallery Hours: Tues – Sat, 11a.m. - 6 p.m.
Event URL: http://www.agora-gallery.com/ArtistInvite/John_Nieman.aspx

Featured Artists:
The Rhythm of Color- Renata Cebular, Ciceros, Álvaro Cuartango, Patrick Girod, Anduin Vaid, Melissa G. Watt
Persistence of Form- Sher Christopher, Meredith Collins, Jim Lively, Coco Masuda, John Nieman, Vera Puig, Annie Seddon, Sibylle
Color of Transformation- Mats Andersson, István Csizmadia, Sunil Howlader, Kristo (Christian Nicolas), Doug Simon
Metamorphosis- Fabrizio Andriani, Chritch, Emin Guliyev, Joo Han, Michael Indorato, Marcela, Brian Reed, Marina Reiter, Jane Sandes

About Agora Gallery
Agora Gallery is a fine art gallery located in the heart of New York City’s Chelsea art galleries district that was established in 1984 and is famous for showcasing a spectacular array of talented artists from around the world and around the corner, while providing quality and original art to collectors. The gallery also publishes ARTisSpectrum Magazine, a bi-annual magazine that is distributed to museums, galleries, art institutions and art schools around the world. It provides artists, collectors, museums, galleries, art organizations and enthusiasts with access to the work of internationally talented emerging and mid-level artists as well as feature articles, reviews and interviews. Agora Gallery is also the sponsor of Art-Mine.com, one of the most comprehensive resources available worldwide to view and purchase fine art from emerging, mid-level and well-established artists. Most recently, the gallery launched http://agoraartgalleryblog.com, a blog designed to provide helpful information and advice for artists while providing a forum for artists to help one another by sharing their experiences and thoughts.

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