“Burden of the Illusionist” by Jean-Pierre Roy (2011)

My favorite painting included in Sloan Fine Art’s current group exhibit, Kin, is “Burden of the Illusionist” by American painter Jean-Pierre Roy. The painting is quite large (60″ x 42″) and includes extremely appealing colors (that are not done justice in this photograph) such as teal blue and lots of bright orange and pink integrated into the sunset below the clouds. There is so much going on in this painting that you could have a dozen conversations about it. I had the opportunity to talk to the artist at this past Saturday’s opening event and he was very enthusiastic about discussing “Burden of the Illusionist.” I offered my impression that the painting depicts a type of dam or power plant at the end of the day, contrasted against the stillness of its surrounding natural environment. Jean-Pierre expanded on my take to offer that the painting visually discusses the relationship between man-made power and power or movement created by nature.  In the far background of the scene you can make out flocks of migratory birds dotting the sky, while also easily being able to imagine that a storm (definitely a source of electrical power) is on its way. Even Roy’s brush strokes suggest movement. He also explained that the bright pink circles at the top of each tower, which looked to me like neon signage, are actually radiating Tesla coils. I really enjoyed talking to Jean-Pierre about his painting and it is something I would very much love to have in my home if I had a spare $12 grand to throw down.

Kin also includes works by Mia Brownell, Nicole Etienne, Clare Grill, Greg Hopkins, Noah Landfield, Jonathan Viner and Jeremy Wagner. In the gallery’s rear “project” room, you can enjoy a few moments of quiet darkness as the you assess the flickering, projected images of Kammeropolis, an installation by Daimon Marchand which seems to be about the secret life of goldfish.

Kin and Kammeropolis are on Exhibit through May 28, 2011 at Sloan Fine Art, Located at the corner of Norfolk and Rivington Streets in NYC. Gallery Hours are Wednesday through Sunday, Noon  to 6 PM, and by Appointment.