Here are 10 contemporary artists whose work should be on your radar this year, whose works are available at New York-based dealer APR57:
Jean Arnold, “Mabelvale: UALR: Resiliency”
“I extract my artwork from the experience of mobility, the velocity of travel – its visual bombardment, and its alteration of spatial perceptions. While traversing the city landscape via bus or train, I notationally sketch architecture, cars, trees, and urban clutter flowing by – capturing elements in a state of flux, and removing them from their original context. In my drawings and paintings, I invent ambiguous scenes and spaces – accumulating miles of space and time into one image. This process creates a dense layering of geography – reflecting the current condition of complexity, speed, and fragmentation in our lives and society.” – Jean Arnold
Johnny Detiger, “Pink Door”
Jonny Detiger’s signature style of line art and mixed media sculptures highlight his unconventional, versatile, and unique creative process. It’s easy to get pulled into Detiger’s groovy world; experiencing his work is like dipping into a free- flowing conversation of cultural references, social struggles, and colorful forms that flirt with some of the subliminal desires of imagination. Detiger’s designs transcend the mundane, celebrate life, and joyfully bridge the gap between the everyday and the sublime.
His style takes the viewer on an exploration of human interaction through a kaleidoscope of iconic imagery, text, color, and light. His furniture designs have won critical acclaim for post-modern excellence and have been featured in design books and international design magazines.
Wayne Ensrud, “Outskirts of Town”
As a painter, Wayne Ensrud has explored in his over six decade career the realms of Realism, Surrealism, Constructivism and Expressionism. That well traveled road lead him to engage a wide range of subjects including landscape, seascape, still life, portraiture, figure, animals and religious and mythical imagery. More recently, he has delved into the arena of non-object painting, tirelessly experimenting to push the boundaries of the painting medium.
Dave Pollot, “Processed and Enriched”
Dave Pollot is a New York based artist who is known for his altered thrift art paintings. He finds unwanted artwork and adds his own touch – most often pop culture parodies – and in doing so, bridges the divide between classic and pop art. This original piece is a playful take on the traditional still life painting. It was made using oil paint on a found canvas.
Gregory Hergert, “Time Bomb”
“A city bus, a car horn, a drip of sweat as a rat scurries across the floor, hunched over the painting, the city, the imagination is Urban Surrealism," says Gregory Hergert, founder of the Urban Surrealism Art Movement. As an artist, Greg specializes in satirical depictions of society & city life, creating multi-dimensional paintings & drawings in all realms.
Neil Kerman, “Limitless Transitions”
“Sunlight radiates a spectrum of seven color energies that touch us emotionally, physically and mentally each moment of the day. In our vast and astonishing world, we are surrounded by brilliant and beautiful colors that possess potent powers to heal. Take the time to look, feel, breathe and appreciate these magnificent hues of my work. Color excites me, and I let my mood of the moment direct me to the color palette that most energizes me to paint. My art is meant to nourish and heal, the heart and soul. I want people to feel an intense passion and connection with my work. I want my art to make people feel happy.” -Neil Kerman
Mark Tennant, “Showgirl”
Mark Tennant is a contemporary American painter who has exhibited widely, with his works having been displayed twice in the Salon d'Automne in Paris. Tennant believes that art is life, life is change, and therefore he thinks that artists must be prepared to love change. With a great understanding of form, light, shadow, and color, Tennant creates exquisite pieces.
Patti Mollica, “Midtown Fire Escapes”
“Truly great painting is not about the “subject matter,” but rather the way an artist communicates beauty, sensitivity and integrity in whatever is painted. Flowers, gardens and sunsets are no more worthy as painting subjects than a subway station full of weary commuters, or a close-up of an old run down building with cascading fire escapes.” - Patti Mollica
Anna Borsellino, “Short & Beautiful”
“Art, in the most simple terms, is feeling. Striving for truth and understanding. Asking yourself, ‘what do you feel?’ In a constant attempt at producing visual escapes in order to better understand the strength and resilience of self. Creating, therefore, is a surefire way to release the many emotions of life. Pure emotion is the ultimate inspiration." - Anna Borsellino
Brea’n Thompson, “Just Us Three”
"My work explores the emotional and psychological connection between music and spirituality in surrealist oil paintings. Each piece is a visual representation of the ghost that lives in my home, Jane, and the way she reacts to certain types of music. These ethereal portraits and landscapes are meant to transport you to another dimension that walks the line between uncanny valley and a spiritual oasis. Over the years, Jane has steadily morphed into something life-like and has begun to take on a personality of her own. We often have a very narrow view of the world, and for the past few years, I have been exploring how every individual’s sensory experience differs from my own. I use elements of my synesthesia, which is a condition where one sense, such as hearing, is simultaneously perceived by one or more additional senses, such as sight." - Brea’n Thompson.
