MG in the Press

MOMA CURATOR, ANNE UMLAND, SELECTS MG

New York, NY, June 25, 2003 - Common Mexican floor tiles become the art community’s Rorschach test. Using a visual language provided by the tiles containing naturally ‘recognizable’ organic forms, MG creates a world which incites strong emotional responses from viewers. ‘Tile 4 (orange)’ was selected by Anne Umland, Associate Curator of the Department of Painting & Sculpture of the Museum of Modern Art New York, to be included in Pleiades Gallery of Contemporary Art’s ‘21st Annual Juried Exhibition.’ The exhibition includes a total of 34 artists and runs June 25 – July 12, 2003 at Pleiades Gallery, 530 West 25th Street, 4th Floor, NY, NY). The reception is Saturday June 28, 3 – 6 pm.

Based on the floor tiles in M's former studio in Barra de Navidad, Mexico, these oil paintings are energetic and dynamic, exploring the boundaries and characteristics of foreground and background. The grayscale polymorphic forms (in the original floor tiles) interact with solid blocks of color. Each tile is a character(s) with its own energy and personality. The paintings act as a highly intricate Rorschach test; everyone sees something different in the work, which seems to say as much about them as the piece itself.

‘Tile 4 (orange)’ is a 36 inch square canvas packed with active lines and vigorous energy. Two larger blocks of bright orange paint define the action while 13 small flecks of orange dance here and there throughout the canvas. “I am sincerely thrilled Anne Umland chose ‘tile 4 (orange)’ to be included in the Pleiades Gallery exhibition,” states MG, “For me, the orange tile is about sexuality. Very playful and light hearted, but charged with passion and tension.” The ongoing tile series currently contains 8 paintings.

The exhibition runs June 25 – July 12, 2003 at Pleiades Gallery of Contemporary Art, 530 West 25th Street, 4th Floor, NY, NY. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday 11am – 6pm. The reception is Saturday June 28, 3 - 6pm.

About Pleiades Gallery: Founded in 1974 and located in Chelsea, NYC, Pleiades Gallery is one of the oldest and most successful cooperative galleries in Manhattan, “our objective is to exhibit both contemporary and cutting-edge art of the highest standards.”

MG biographical information: Born February 3, 1975 in Providence, Rhode Island. Received B.A. in Political Science from Simon's Rock College of Bard, in Massachusetts. MG is a self-taught painter. She first touched brush to canvas in 1998, while working a separate full time job. In 1999, she left Rhode Island and moved to the Pacific coast of Mexico in order to paint full time. MG relocated to Brooklyn, NY in the fall of 2002 to pursue New York City Gallery representation.

Select Exhibition list:

• June 5 - 29, 2003: Solo exhibition at Burning Butterfly Gallery, Union City, NJ.
• February 22 - March 1, 2003: YDS ‘Winter Wonder 2003’ group exhibition organized by Concept Management Group at Eickholt Gallery, NY (SOHO), NY.
• June 13 - July 6, 2002: 'tile 2 (red)' included in ‘Open Juried Art Annual’ at the Helme House (SCAA) in Kingstown, Rhode Island. Juror: Stephen Saunders, Coordinator of the Young Artist Program, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
• June 8 - 30, 2001: Solo exhibition entitled ‘Las Momias de Guanajuato,’ at the prestigious Galeria Arte Moderno in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Photos, slides and digital images of MG’s paintings are available upon request.
For further information contact: jesse@gallerymg.com or (718) 497-1541. Additional information is also available at the artist’s website www.gallerymg.com.

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