Vilma Gold is pleased
to present the first London solo exhibition by Alisa Margolis.
The exhibition comprises new paintings.
In 2001 Alisa Margolis began a new body of work as an attempt
to address the cultural shift of her recent relocation from
New York to Amsterdam. The historical works that fill Holland's
museums and in particular traditional 17th century Dutch flower
painting informed the works that resulted from this move.
Alisa Margolis' paintings are rooted in impressions of the Baroque
and the sublime, namely the Baroque articulation of excess as
beauty. Her works explore the potential of the Baroque genre
to elevate itself from a decadent state into something not only
dazzling, but also expressive of that which is spiritually and
conceptually loftier. Her works equally show a seduction for
the failure of this attempt as excessive beauty descends into
abject decadence.
Margolis' paintings are constructed of multiple layers of poured
paint and resin. Their glossy embossed surfaces seem like a
cross between Russian enamel serving platters and polished car
body panels. This combination of finish and texture allows her
paintings to appear as both handcrafted and industrially produced.
Margolis constructs her paintings from dark to light using recurring
motifs layered over dense black backgrounds. Painting therefore
becomes a question of painting light. Margolis' explores contemporary
examples of this Baroque technique through the use of abstracted
imagery lifted from rock concerts light shows, horror movie
special effects and the alchemy of star firmaments.
Alisa Margolis was born in Ukraine and has spent most of her
life in New York. Since graduating from the Ateliers Post Graduate,
Amsterdam, in 2003 her work has been widely exhibited both nationally
and internationally. Most notably at Museum van Loon, Holland,
Galerie Diana Stigter, Amsterdam, 2 nd Prague Biennale ,
Prague, Expander , Royal Academy of Arts, London and
Now Is a Good Time, Andrea Rosen Gallery, New York. Alisa Margolis
is currently undertaking the International Artists Residency
Program at Delfina Studio Trust, London.
For further information or images please contact Sarah McCrory:
+44(0) 20 8981 3344 or: sarah@vilmagold.com |
Alisa Margolis
Conjurors, 2005
oil and resin on canvas
170 x 140 cm
Alisa Margolis
Im Your Boyfriend Now, 2005
oil and resin on canvas
140 x 170 cm
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