This is the final week for Plus Gallery's current exhibition "Take Five" which features some of the greatest depth of talent on view in the gallery history. Joanna Pousette-Dart, Jessica Weiss, John Newman, Joe Fyfe and Judith Linhares deliver a solid look at signature style and influential approaches to contemporary art that have stood the test of time and continue to inspire. Curated by Plus Gallery artists Naomi Cohn, please join us in viewing this unique offering during regular hours through Saturday February 27th, or by appointment.  |
Thursday, February 25, 2010
FINAL WEEK FOR VIEWING "TAKE FIVE" AT PLUS GALLERY
BRUCE PRICE OPENING AND PLUS 1ST ANNIVERSARY AT 2501 LARIMER RIGHT AROUND CORNER
Since opening our new location at 2501 Larimer, we've had a string of some of the best exhibitions in Denver, culminating in our recognition as the "Art Space of the year" by the Denver Post. Starting March 4th, we are thrilled to bring Bruce Price back to the gallery for the first time since 2007, an artist who has received plenty of acclaim in conjunction with the gallery in the early part of our history, including his recognition in 2004 as the "Top Abstract Painter" in Denver by the Rocky Mountain News. Price returns with a dynamic, interactive exhibition that sets the tone for creative engagement with contemporary art in the galleries. Join us for the opening reception of "I am a cloud" on Thursday, March 4th from 6-8pm, we'll have more information regarding some of the unique attributes of this exhibition in our newsletter next week. The exhibition also marks the 1-year anniversary in our new space, which we feel is worth celebrating as well. We'll have more details to follow next week, but mark your calendars now.
The opening will also be the last chance to view Jenny Morgan's latest self portrait here at the gallery before it goes off to a local private collection. This is an amazing painting and worth a visit on its own accord.
AMUNDSON INVITED TO EXHIBIT AT KOHLER ART CENTER THIS SUMMER
Yes, hardly a week goes by that Bill Amundson doesn't make our news, we expect that to subside at some point but we are nevertheless pleased to report that Bill has been invited to participate in a group exhibition this summer at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Wisconsin, a place Bill claims as "one of the best museums in the world." He should know, having grown up in Wisconsin and been heavily influenced by the center and artists from the region. We'll have more details later this year, but once again congratulate a hard-working local talent for breaking outside gallery limits to exhibit with prestigious artists in some of the finest spaces in the country.
For more info on the Kohler, visit http://www.jmkac.org
CLASSIC PETER ILLIG RETURNS TO DENVER AT HINTERLAND THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26th.
We recommend visiting RINO's Hinterland this Friday evening, as they unveil Plus Gallery artist Peter Illig's 2005 masterpiece "The Logic of Dreams" with a reception from 6-10pm. Hinterland is located at 3254 Walnut Street, expect a late and exuberant evening at our neighbors up the street!
CONGRATS TO DANIEL JUNGE/JUST MEDIA FOR ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATION
Talent runs high in the Junge family. While SF based visual artist Andrew made ripples across the nation with his Styrofoam Hummer a couple years back, his older brother Daniel has been honing a film career in Denver for more than a decade that rings as one of the most solid in the nation. Further proof of that status, on top of several "best of" awards from prestigious film festivals for his earlier efforts, came a couple of weeks ago as his latest documentary "The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner" was nominated for an academy award in the short-docs section of the awards. This is a tremendous honor, and we hope to see Daniel take the stage next month to accept the award. Starz held a special screening of this poignant and timely film last Saturday, the first opportunity before making its way to NYC this week for additional academy related screenings and hoopla. Slowly but surely, Denver talent is putting the city on the map of excellence within the arts. We applaud all efforts in that regards and hope everyone recognizes and supports the talent brewing within our city.
Monday, February 15, 2010
BILL AMUNDSON PORTRAIT OF CHRISTOPH HEINRICH IN SUNDAY DENVER POST
Plus Gallery artist Bill Amundson was recently commissioned to create a portrait of the Denver Art Museum's popular new director Christoph Heinrich, with the results hitting the front page of the Sunday Entertainment section yesterday. To see the work and read the report on DAM moving forward visit http://www.denverpost.com/art/ci_14385343
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
PLUS GALLERY'S "TAKE FIVE" EXHIBITION MAKES DENVER PRESS LAST WEEK
Denver Post Art critic Kyle MacMillan weighed in our latest exhibition "Take Five," juxtaposing it against another curatorial endeavor by an artist at Rule gallery, noting that "Probably the best known of the 11 is Joanna Pousette-Dart, who tops the bill at the Plus show. Although still best known as the daughter of famed abstract-expressionist Richard Pousette-Dart, she has built her own long, distinguished career in the field."
To read the full report, visit
The Denver Daily News also delivered a nice piece in last Thursday's paper, complete with a great installation view of the exhibition. Read their full text online at
Don't miss the opportunity to see this historic exhibition featuring serious talent of an international caliber here at Plus Gallery, the exhibition is on view until February 27th.
JENNY MORGAN'S LATEST SELF PORTRAIT ON THE WAY TO DENVER
We just received some of the best news of the new year so far, Plus Gallery artist Jenny Morgan has finished a new self portrait which is on its way here to Denver! Response to her last exhibition "This too shall pass" as well as her recent self portraits and publication of the book "New Territory" has caused quite a stir amongst collectors here and abroad. Jenny has shown her dedication to Denver fans and will be sending her most recent painting (and a remarkable one at that) to the gallery. Purchase inquiries are recommended to act fast!
Jenny Morgan - "Chronic"
Morgan is currently on view in a new exhibition in Los Angeles that commences today at the West Los Angeles College Art Gallery in Culver City, CA. "The Artist's Guide to the L.A. Galaxy" features a number of talented and very-now contemporary artists intended to broaden the critical dialogue on portraiture in the age of new media. Morgan's contributions include the recent Plus Gallery painting "In your Absence" as well as two others from her recent NYC exhibitions. For more information, visit http://lagroupshow.weebly.com/
MELISSA FURNESS FEATURED IN SEATTLE EXHIBITION AND NAP ANNIVERSARY
Plus Gallery artist Melissa Furness, whose most recent and fascinating painting "Armed Elucidation" graces our second floor viewing area, will have recent works on paper on view in an exhibition at Fetherston Gallery in Seattle, opening this Friday, February 12th. For more info visit http://fetherstongallery.com/
Furness also has works included in the 15-year anniversary edition of New American Paintings, including "Interpolation," a painting that was featured in our 2009 exhibition "Brave New World." The collectors edition should be hitting newsstands around the globe in the next couple of weeks.
CLASSIC PETER ILLIG RETURNS TO DENVER AT HINTERLAND FEBRUARY 26th
Plus Gallery artist Peter Illig will be mounting his masterful 2005 series of large-scale charcoal works on paper "The Logic of Dreams" at Hinterland in the Rino District up the street from Plus. This collection of 4 foot by 10 foot works on paper was first shown at Pirate gallery and one of the most dramatic exhibitions presented in that space. Hinterland will host a reception for Illig and the show on Friday, February 26th from 6-10pm, located at 3254 Walnut Street.
Peter Illig with a panel from "Logic of Dreams" in studio, circa 2005
SIGN UP FOR PLUS GALLERY FACEBOOK PAGE
Did you know that Plus Gallery has a facebook page? Sure, who doesn't, but in our never ending quest to reach out and spread the good word on contemporary art in Denver, we have implemented a page on the popular site that has allowed us to spread our wings to a wider audience. We encourage you to become a member and encourage others to follow us there. We haven't switched our communication platform entirely to facebook but are occasionally planting useful bits of information as well as images that are exclusive to those members, along with select news bits.
Friday, February 5, 2010
READ IVAR'S GUEST EDITORIAL ON DB ARTNEWS BLOG - DECIPHERING DENVER'S ART SCENE
NAOMI COHN PREVIOUSLY INTERVIEWED ON UNTITLED ART SHOW FOR TAKE FIVE
For additional insite into the curatorial aspects of Take Five, tune in online to Naomi Cohn's interview on the Untitled Art Show from last summer when we were knee-deep in programming the show:
TAKE FIVE EXHIBITION OFF TO A ROUSING START
Plus Gallery's current exhibition "Take Five" launched last Thursday with a enthusiastic opening reception and great applause. NY artist Jessica Weiss was on hand and very impressed with the community response and the fact that Denver crowds are not afraid to respond to good art! There is a lot of depth to each of these artist's careers, and certainly one of the challenges of hosting such talent through a limited number of works is in raising awareness for the finer points of each career. Here at Plus we have compiled a binder that delivers the goods on the artists, along with a few recent catalogs, but if you want to consider from your own perch at home before visiting we recommend visiting the following links online:
Judith Linhares:
John Newman:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/arts/design/27gall.html http://www.johnnewmanstudio.com/templatePages/bibImView.php?id=1&view=t ext
Joanna Pousette-Dart:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/18/arts/art-in-review-joanna-pousette-dart.html?scp=1&sq=joanna%20pousette%20dart&st=cse
Joe Fyfe:
Jessica Weiss:
BILL AMUNDSON FEATURED IN "FACE TO FACE" AT THE DAM ALONGSIDE MAJOR INTL. ARTISTS
PLUS GALLERY ARTISTS FEATURED IN SEVERAL OFFSITE EXHIBITIONS
Bill Amundson, Riva Sweetrocket, Colin Livingston and Bruce Price have all been juried into the exhibition "Icebreaker: Best of the RINO district" at the Ice Cube co-op gallery, up the street from Plus Gallery on Walnut Street, look for the giant smoke-stack and beautifully restored brownstone around 33rd street.
Kate Petley opens a wonderful solo exhibition featuring her latest works in resin and mixed media along with some of her past installation oriented works at the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, Wyoming.
Susan Meyer has mounted her most recent installation at the exhibition at New Haven's Artspace, in the New Haven Center for Contemporary Art. Read what one recent art blog had to say about the work at http://irhinoceros.posterous.com/instructions-to-scottie-beam-me-up
And Finally, Dave Yust is featured in "100 Years of Colorado Art from the Kirkland Museum Collection"," opening on Thursday at the Arvada Center for the Arts. No historical show of Colorado art would be complete without Dave. Here's a statement from the artist regarding his work in the exhibition.
Since the early 1960’s my artworks, primarily, have been about trying to resolve the dichotomy of combining geometric and biomorphic/organic imagery. The black and white painting here, Circular Composition #44 (Change in Scale #28) was biased toward geometric imagery and was completed in 1972 --- just a few months before I began working on the related 10 feet in diameter black and white painting for the Denver Art Museum.
This painting was part of a 13-year long series of nearly 150 paintings and prints that focused primarily on symmetry and how it can function in painting. The 3rd dimension was necessary to enable the use of light and resulting shadows to help divide the painting into two pairs of symmetrical shapes. The singular (and unique) white shape above the 3-dimensional ridge is a residual shape --- and, I feel, it must be just as purposeful as the symmetrical shapes. One must solve a visual problem and, hopefully, create a visual dilemma as well.
Whereas using color is one of my life’s joys --- certain paintings, because of their inherent simplicity (and lack of complexity) are, ultimately, best realized in black and white.
Plus Gallery is also currently featuring one of Yust's earliest circular paintings from 1969 in our auxiliary space at the gallery.
NEW WORK BY MELISSA FURNESS FEATURED IN PLUS GALLERY SECOND FLOOR VIEWING AREA
JESSICA WEISS TO SPEAK ON TONIGHT'S UNTITLED ART SHOW
TAKE FIVE OPENS THIS THURSDAY AT PLUS GALLERY
Having long been accused of being alot like a NY gallery, Plus has decided to see what it's like to have work by NY artists of significant career stature up in our space. Hot on the heels of one of the most critically acclaimed shows of the decade, Colin Livingston's massive undertaking that filled the space of the gallery with "art as merchandise," comes an exhibition that we have been working towards for many years, one that helps define some of the reasons behind our move and development of a world-class gallery for Denver.
TAKE FIVE is a curatorial effort that brings artwork by five established, widely acclaimed and collected mid-career artists to Plus. Over the course of a year and on the streets in NY, our represented artist Naomi Cohn has pulled together a talented group of individuals with careers that speak for themselves and who have graciously agreed to participate in TAKE FIVE. Some of the five, like Judith Linhares and John Newman, have been highly influential in the contemporary scene over the last 30 years. Others are currently reaching major heights in their careers, including Joanna Pousette-Dart who completed a beautiful new painting expressly for our exhibition. Joe Fyfe is a heavy hitter in contemporary art journalism and a successful artist in his own right using dyed fabrics to create beautiful abstractions. And Jessica Weiss, who will speak this evening on the Untitled Art Show, has built a solid career using layered screen-printing techniques to craft dense surfaces of woodland imagery.
All are worth a deep look, we invite you to experience this endeavor and join us for the opening reception this Thursday, January 21st from 6-8pm. Jessica Weiss will be with us that evening and both she and Naomi will speak about the work and the fine points behind the selected artists.
Here's what the critics have said about the artists:
“Ms. Pousette-Dart is serious about Modernist abstraction, but there is nothing too sober or sanctimonious about what she does. Her paintings have lovely, slightly dry eggshell surfaces and a colorful, slightly muted palette with pastel tendencies. They have been made with a caressing touch that suggests thoughtful spontaneity. While the compositions of loopy shapes and lines fit tightly into the eccentrically shaped panels -- in some cases evoking Northwest Indian design -- they don't feel cramped; they convey a buoyant, free feeling. There is a mutually responsive relationship between the container and the contained -- or between body and soul -- that is a
pleasure to behold” - KEN JOHNSON, NY Times, June 2004
“Here, patterned textiles (a more recent development for Fyfe) are combined with pieces of felt, silk, painted or neutral jute or burlap. The inherent freedom of expression and joy in interrelating different materials bring the
art of quilt making, as well as collage to mind. There is a striking looseness in these works … they contain the poetry of a starry sky and the luminosity of a stained-glass window in the afternoon sun.” - Stephanie Buhmann, ArtCritical.com, February 2009
“Knowing her history, you might conclude that Ms. Linhares has been an unacknowledged inspiration for many of today's younger artists. Regardless of which way the generational influences have flowed, Ms. Linhares certainly
has tapped into her own rambunctious and starry-eyed inner child to wonderfully infectious effect.” - KEN JOHNSON, NY Times, April 2006
“Over the decades his work has become smaller, livelier and younger, as well as more original, eccentric and precise. It speaks, increasingly, in multiple voices. Each delightful, surprising object in this show offers a circuitous commentary of contrasting forms, colors, materials, techniques, values and cultures. Diversity itself is the content… Mr. Newman’s latest efforts subvert the usual subjugation of parts to wholes and suggest a world
of specific objects beyond Donald Judd’s wildest dreams.” - ROBERTA SMITH, NY Times, 2009
“For the past ten years, Ms. Weiss has been questioning notions of memory and how they permeate present experiences. Forms and patterns inspired, reinterpreted or directly culled from vintage wall coverings are insinuated in fairy tale narratives. By appropriating images processed in a different medium, the artist is lending past pictures another life and by extension giving these the possibility of another “playing field…” - ARTCAT, 2007
TOP DENVER GALLERIES PROFILED IN ONLINE PUBLICATION ART SLANT
Read what Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile had to say about 2009 as well as our upcoming year, along with comments from Denver veteran gallery Robischon on ArtSlant.com You can scroll down the homepage and click "On the Scene in Denver" to see the piece
Or visit the permalink here
EXCELLENT VIDEO CLIP ONLINE OF HOWARD TULLMAN AND HIS ART COLLECTION
We just received a video clip from Howard Tullman, one of Chicago's leading entrepreneurs who has ammassed a collection of contemporary art like no other. Tullman has been following Plus Gallery since our inception and collected major works by Jenny Morgan and Riva Sweetrocket as well select paintings from William Betts, Wes Magyar and Peter Illig. We think you will enjoy taking a peek into this amazing collection and hearing from one of the most genuine, prolific and passionate collectors in the country.
Our book "New Territory" features text by Tullman in support of our 2007 publication that focused on our trip to Art Miami.
NICOLAYSEN ART MUSEUM TO OPEN EXHIBITION BY KATE PETLEY
The Nicolaysen Art Museum in Caspar, WY will open a 3 month solo exhibition featuring Plus Gallery artist Kate Petley on Friday, January 22nd. Curated by Lisa Hatchadoorian, the exhibition is a major undertaking by the artist and will feature a combination of Petley's most recent installation oriented works as well as dynamic new resin panels of varying scale. Petley has truly blossomed with her complex new works since moving up to the Denver area last year, incorporating street-style and other abstract elements with a unique (and intensive) approach to materials. The effect is unlike anything in the contemporary art market, carrying a level of sophistication and playfulness in a fine, thoroughly vibrant balance.
Should you happen to be in Caspar on the 22nd, Kate will speak about the show at 5pm along with an opening reception that evening. If you can't make it up to Wyoming for the exhibition, come see some of Kate's recent works here at Plus Gallery, they are exquisite and well worth the effort.
MORGAN NYC BOOK SIGNING A BIG SUCCESS
Like The Spice gallery in Brooklyn held a well-attended book signing in conjunction with Plus Gallery's first major book release "New Territory" on artist Jenny Morgan last friday. Those who have viewed the book have been very enthusiastic about the presentation of her works and the comprehensive nature of the package, an extensive view of Morgan's paintings from the time she debuted in 2003 up to her latest efforts in both Brooklyn and Denver. Come take a look here at Plus, we hope to have Morgan return one day to Denver to sign copies for friends and fans alike but for now have to live vicariously through the NYC market.
To see more about the signing visit the Like the Spice blog at
To preview the book, visit Plus Gallery or blurb.com
MORE CRITICAL PRAISE FROM DENVER POST FOR PLUS GALLERY EFFORTS, LIVINGSTON EXHIBITION
Our current exhibition "The Big Idea" by Colin Livingston, which ends this saturday January 16th, received another rave review last week in Friday's Denver Post. Art critic Kyle MacMillan responded to the exhibition with great enthusiasm and understanding within the greater dialogue of international contemporary art, concluding that "The Big Idea" makes a big statement and confirms Livingston's place among Colorado's most original and ambitious artist-provocateurs.
We urge everyone who has not come to view this exhibition to take the opportunity and see one of our greatest efforts to date, and an artist who deserves support from the contemporary arts community.
Read the full review online at
NEW YEAR SEES LOSS OF ONE OF OUR FAVORITE DENVER OPERATIONS
NEW GABRIEL LISTON BOOK-TILE AVAILABLE
One of the best surprises from over the holidays was the arrival of "We leave at once" a limited edition blue-book tile with a full-color painting on the front from Gabriel Liston (who subsequently got married just days later). Highly recommended for fans and collectors of his popular blue book tiles or any good artwork.
SUSAN MEYER'S "TOGETHER" FEATURED IN NEW HAVEN EXHIBITION at ARTSPACE
Plus Gallery artist Susan Meyer's fantastic installation "Together" will resurface back east this month at New Haven's Artspace starting January 14th. Portions of the installation were featured at Plus Gallery in our second floor viewing area, certainly one of the more popular long-term attractions at the gallery in the last year. Meyer will resurface this year at Plus in the main gallery in the group exhibition Invincible Cohorts later this spring, along with some other top talents from the gallery stable and Denver's greater art community.
Founded in 1987, Artspace uses its exhibition programs to provide artists with visibility, leadership training, income, and space. At their Center for Contemporary Art, New Haven’s largest independent visual arts venue, Artspace presents six cycles of exhibitions annually. Meyer's work is in Gallery 2 at Artspace and will run through February 20th. For more info visit
LIVINGSTON ARTIST TALK COMMENCES AT 7PM THIS FRIDAY, JANUARY 8TH AT PLUS GALLERY
Plus Gallery will be open for extended hours this Friday in honor of "second friday" to make up for the New Years holiday. We will host a discussion with featured artist Colin Livingston that evening starting at 7pm to hear his take on his mind-boggling exhibition "The Big Idea." Westword art critic Michael Paglia recently reflected on Livingston's efforts in relation to the Denver Art Museum's EMBRACE exhibition, noting: "The artist featured in Colin Livingston: The Big Idea at Plus Gallery in RiNo isn't in the DAM show but should be, because his installation is as good, if not better, than anything there. A Colorado native, Livingston earned his BFA from the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, and his talent was noticed shortly after he graduated, when he was included in MCA Denver's Colorado biennial. This is his fourth solo show at Plus and his best effort ever, anywhere."
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