GUY DENNING • "PURGATORIO" NYC 'POP-UP' EXHIBITION

Guy Denning
"Purgatorio"
September 8 - 25
Opening Night: Sept. 8th, 6-9PM
*New York City 'Pop-Up' Location*

Brooklynite & FB Gallery
368 Broadway, Tribeca, NYC
BrooklyniteGallery.com
FBGallery.net
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On the heels of his highly successful "Inferno" exhibition in Italy earlier this year, Guy Denning presents the second of his three part series of oil paintings on Dante's Commedia in New York City for the aptly titled exhibition, "Purgatorio".

Originally drawing inspiration from Dante's writings, Guy's intention has not been to recreate the poem in a visual or literal sense, but instead let it act as a framework for his own personal interpretation. As with the writing of Shakespeare, Guy finds a perpetual relevance in Dante's work where the specifics of name, situation and place are easily adapted to the modern world; as if time moves on but the problems of humanity remain essentially the same.



The events of September 11th and the emotional toll it took on the American individual is final and critical element to this body of work. Guy suggests that the suffering of America is too often defined by the media in terms of the political rather than the personal, leaving the individual voice of ordinary people sometimes unspoken in the narrative of history. His work sets out to make a small and personal amendment to that omission. Poignantly enough, this exhibition will be held in a NYC 'Pop-Up' location just blocks from Ground Zero and on the 10 Year Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.



The work, though tied to Dante’s writing will also feature elements of images found on the internet, particularly of people in New York City on that terrible day. Significant press images are also used as reference for Guy's work in hopes that they will be scrutinized that much more intensely than the photos we glance at far too quickly in newsprint. He has also constructed one large landscape painting, in the fashion of the traditional ‘history’ genre, made from connected canvas panels. This oil painting, derived from studying still frame images from amateur video footage, aims to create an assumed and complete narrative of the major elements of the day from a New York perspective.



Guy states that this is a collection of work recognizing the suffering of the American people on September 11th and immediately thereafter - when the United States had the sympathy of the world. He wants it to be viewed as nothing short of respectful to the memories of all those that died and suffered as a result – both in New York and beyond. Guy quotes another English artist William Blake who wrote “Can I see another's woe, and not be in sorrow, too? Can I see another's grief, and not seek for kind relief?” Despite the many cultural differences of the peoples of the world we are all essentially united by our humanity; our common desires, hopes and despairs. It is the ordinary people's common humanity that will take us forward and not politically inspired violence.

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To request a preview please email us at: info@BrooklyniteGallery.com

MISS BUGS • "PARLOUR" • JUNE 25

"PARLOUR"
MISS BUGS
June 25 - JULY 16
Opening Night: Saturday, June 25, 7-10pm

MUSICAL GUEST: Hank Shocklee [Bomb Squad]
LIVE STREAM HOSTED BY: Artist Group DJ MAYONNAISE HANDS

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On a summers night in the heart of Brooklyn, Miss Bugs will open the doors to her new establishment, the "Parlour". Miss Bugs alias 'The Madame' welcomes you to her boudoir, fit for gods and monsters; a place where delights and nightmares can be played out. You’ll be introduced to the still-standing ghosts in the woodland clearing who guard the entrance to the "Parlour" that lies beyond... Here, the Madames' presence can be felt in every corner; you can look directly into her eyes and view the story of her dark desires… Madame advises all who attend the opening to dress appropriately to honor the spirits and hide their face by donning a masquerade mask.



"Parlour" is the setting for Miss Bugs' new body of work; its atmosphere will unsettle. By placing the prints and large scale collages within a fictional space, the context of the original sources of found art is changed, making us view its symbolism in a different, darker light. This distorted world of installations indoors and out, is an extension of their 'Cut Out and Fade Out' street project and the concept of the 'Parlour' exploits the idea that the art establishment plays on people’s desires, whether for money, beauty, sex or ownership. It’s a twisted environment with poetically warped female forms that beckon you in and carry you off to the underbelly of Miss Bugs’ soul.



The opening of ‘Parlour’ marks Miss Bugs’ second solo gallery appearance since their debut outing over three years ago and is their first solo show outside the UK. Miss Bugs have come together again for their most ambitious project to-date…

They continue to explore the themes which have been prevalent in their work, such as the nature of the art establishment. Miss Bugs continues to question the ownership of ideas, working methods, and the relationship and knock-on effect that artists have with one another. And while their work often sees the appropriation of hundreds of contemporary artists; they are all referenced and recomposed within their collages and silk-screens to make their own newly reconstructed iconic pieces. Miss Bugs steals from many, but in doing so they leave their own unique indelible mark; a Miss Bugs calling card at the scene of the crime!

Join us opening night when sonic architect Hank Shocklee, [BOMB SQUAD / Public Enemy] provides sound creativity for our ears to go along with the striking visuals.

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Can't make it to the show? Check out our STREAMING LIVE COVERAGE of the opening on our website hosted by the artist group DJ MAYONNAISE HANDS at BrooklyniteGallery.com

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Brooklynite Gallery is located at 334 Malcolm X Blvd., Brooklyn, New York 11233. We are open Thursday thru Saturday from 1pm – 7pm or by appointment. We are located 2 blocks from the A or C subway to Utica Ave. stop.

And if you're not already doing so FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @BklyniteGallery

GUY DENNING • STENCIL SERIES

Two series of Guy Denning stencil prints now available in our Shop/Prints Section.

It's not enough that Guy Denning has painting skills most would die for. Now comes his first foray into a stencil print series which packs a bold, powerful punch. Politically charged, emotionally poignant and beauty to boot, the title for this series is lifted from a poem by William Blake titled, On Another's Sorrow.



Executed on lightly coated newsprint, each stencil print measures 16 x 23 inches (58cm H x 41cm W) and is unique in color and embellishments. Each image is an edition of 33 and priced at $175 each.

Straight from Guy Denning...
"Each complete set consists of two different portraits. There are 33 of each portrait (one for each canto of the Purgatory). One is of a New York resident and the other of a Fallujah resident. The two pieces take their titles from the first two lines of a poem by William Blake: Can I see Another's Woe, And not be in sorrow too? Can I see another's grief, And not seek for kind relief?

At first the plan was to release a limited print, however the only medium available to me in my own studio would have been a wood or lino cut and I did not feel that it suited the subject matter.

I wanted to incorporate text so stenciling seemed appropriate, particularly since I've been using stenciled text in my paintings for years now. My method of building an image by stencil also allows a high degree of variation between repeated versions of the same idea.

This then became an exercise in personally further developing my competence in another paint media. I have now built for myself a method that allows me to produce a limited edition, that though bearing general similarities, hold an almost infinite capacity for individual experimentation.

Though each piece can take up to two hours painting time, it is still to some degree more dependent on a fixed, repeated method. I have arrived at something approaching serial paintings or repeat mono-prints and it's a method I will develop further in the future."

Now available at BrooklyniteGallery.com

ELIK "SNAKE BITE" May 7th, 7-10pm Brooklynite Gallery

Musical Guest: DJ KOOL HERC

Even today, if you walk around the streets of New York City with your chin up, you'll see the work of ELIK, who seamlessly exists between street art and graffiti, leaving his mark in the form of innovative roller tags, wheat-pastes, throw-ups, and retro-fitted tin signs. After vanishing from the New York City art scene in 2005, transient artist ELIK, returns for a project encompassing his broad range of genres inside one space for the first time since he left.



Inspired by all things discarded, the artist "formerly known" as ELIK-- hasn't exactly changed his name, nor has he stopped making work, both on and off the streets in his new location. His indoor work is comprised largely of paintings and intricate collages informed by typography and appropriated images from various media of our throw away culture. His bold and eye catching work is fused together utilizing xerox copies and original material from vintage magazines, books, found scraps, advertisements and invented images, to create a unique visual language.


ELIK 'Snub-Nose' Prints now available in our Shop/Extras Section.

In addition, ELIK's been hoarding scrap wood, furniture, metal signage and a hell of a lot of city trash with plans to turn this place into some sort of 'shanty town'. He's politely insisted we turn the space over to him and find something else to do until opening night.



Speaking of opening night-- the turntables will be manned by none other than the 'Godfather of Hip-Hop', DJ KOOL HERC. After battling some much publicized health issues a few months back, KOOL HERC is ready to get back to doing what he does best-- rock a crowd.


DJ KOOL HERC

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Brooklynite Gallery is located at 334 Malcolm X Blvd., Brooklyn, New York 11233.
Phone 347-405-5976 • BrooklyniteGallery.com
During exhibitions, we are open Thursday thru Saturday from 1-6pm or by appointment.
We are located 2 blocks from the A or C subway to Utica Ave. stop.

Legendary Graffiti Artist : COST

From the late 80's to the early 90's you couldn't take two steps in and around NYC without seeing two names in bold black letters:

"COST" & "REVS"

These tags came in the form of xerox printed sheets of paper with phrases such as "COST FUCKED MADONNA" & "SUICIDE REVS" pasted mostly on the backs of DON'T WALK boxes --but also just about everywhere else. Not long after came roller tags, billboard bombing and larger wheat-pastes other artists would like to take credit for inventing.

After some major, well documented issues both artists exited from the scene.
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We are now pleased to announce the release of not one but TWO 'Snub-Nose' Prints With NYC graffiti legend COST.

Done in his classic 'wheat-paste style' these will come stamped, numbered and signed by the artist. Each will be an edition of 500 and sold for a mere $25 each. No exact release date is available.

They will be sold in our SHOP / EXTRAS section at: BrooklyniteGallery.com

This concludes our history lesson for today....

For more info check the related links below:
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ART FORUM INTERVIEW FROM 1994

NY TIMES INTERVIEW 1993
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snub-nose ("snbnz")
adj.
1. Having a short, turned-up nose.
2. Having an extremely short barrel: a snub-nosed pistol.
3. Pocket-Sized prints introduced by Brooklynite Gallery for the cost of a taxi-ride.