André Ethier
Heading South
April 10-May 16, 2009
Opening Reception: Friday, April 10, 6-8 pm
Derek Eller Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of new paintings by Toronto-based artist André Ethier.
For his fourth solo show at the gallery, André Ethier has created a body of work which features grotesque floral arrangements painted in acid colors and imaginary portraits of hippie gnome-like creatures captured in mug-shot profile. Frequently collapsing the boundaries between the genres of still-life, landscape, and portraiture, Ethier composes vivid psychedelic visions of plant-human hybrids in which cigarettes emerge from behind a tangle of crimson flowers and a bouquet of marigolds stares with a Cyclops-ian eyeball. Approaching each work without having a definitive subject in mind, Ethier improvises his content and compositions, employing an array of application techniques to create luscious, painterly surfaces. Evoking art historical precedents from Arcimboldo to Emil Nolde, Ethier conjures strikingly intense imagery which is both contemporary and personal.
André Ethier has had solo exhibitions in Los Angeles, Torino, Miami, Copenhagen, Toronto, and Madrid. His work was recently featured in the group shows “Figuratively Seeing” at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and “Tales of Wonder and Woe” at Castle Gallery, College of New Rochelle.
Derek Eller Gallery is located at 615 West 27th Street, between 11th and 12th Avenues. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 11am - 6pm. For further information or visuals, please contact the gallery at 212.206.6411 or visit www.derekeller.com.