The James Oliver Gallery (JOG) is pleased to announce The Indulgencies’ an exhibition of computer cut vinyl drawings by Nick Cassway This show’s opening reception will be Friday, November 4, 6pm till 9pm and, and will be running through January 13, 2012. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 5-8 PM, Saturday 1-8 PM and by appointment.
JOG is located at 723 Chestnut Street, 4th Floor, in Philadelphia.
Nick Cassway’s new body of work uses computer cut vinyl on plexiglass to portray graphically bold portraits of his friends at play. The subjects in The Indulgencies derive from unposed and candid snapshots depicting scenes of revelry, camaraderie and goofing for the camera. Through these images we are given an opportunity to unabashedly stare at others, see ourselves and reflect on what it means to be a social human.
Mr. Cassway is drawn to computer cut vinyl - a medium typically used by the signmaking industry – because of its ability to precisely mimic quick, loose and unrefined ink drawings. The medium offers a limited palette of rich colors and novel surfaces such as gold, chrome and glitter that are used in unorthodox and experimental ways. Paired with flat, sumptuous and unadorned backgrounds, these images focus a crisp lens exclusively on the action and gesture.
The exhibition is broken into discrete bodies of work including the Photographers, Girlfriends, the Indulgencies, Sleepers and finally the Dinner Party. The Photographers presents our public selves acting out, mugging for the camera and at the same time editing our own action, knowing that most everything we do these days is for public consumption. Girlfriends portrays camaraderie, love and compassion among peers. The Indulgencies witnesses our uninhibited selves doing what we do best – laughing, drinking and gallivanting. With the Sleepers, we are portrayed as alone, vulnerable and at peace. Finally, The Dinner Party finds us as part of a larger community breaking bread together.
These images have been described as depicting “the edge of banality,” a phrase that the artist has chosen to embrace. If banality is to be understood as commonplace, then these image indeed express what is common and typical among most people – the pursuit of happiness, a yearning for freedom and the desire to be social.
James Oliver Gallery (JOG), which opened its doors in late 2006, aims to be a leader in the presentation of contemporary art in the Philadelphia area. James Oliver, an established painter and musician, oversees all aspects of the gallery. His style synthesizes the modern and the minimal, creating a clean yet unpretentious aesthetic in his works. The gallery itself, an appealing and lively forum in Philadelphia’s Center City, looks to shatter rigid notions of artistic presentation. Featuring exciting modernist furniture and beautiful views through towering fourth floor windows, JOG creates a relaxing environment where viewers and potential buyers are encouraged to convene, socialize, and discuss art.