PHILADELPHIA, PA.-Projects Gallery is pleased to present “Night Watch”, a solo exhibition of paintings by Steve Cope. Cope, a Philadelphia-based artist, initially began his artistic career as a landscape painter. While his contemporary works remain firmly rooted in painterly concerns, his current subjects are of unusual celestial compositions, rather than grassy fields. To view Cope’s orb paintings is to unexpectedly witness something beautiful and mysterious in the celestial heavens.

In “Night Watch”, visions of wildly patterned orbs populate starry night skies. Too outrageous to be planets and more playful distant observer than intergalactic threat, the spheres seem to act as sentinels. These undulating balls float in space while we travel along with them. The simplicity of the spherical image allows for artistic investigation of line, texture, color and composition. The decorative forms in spatial relationship allow the viewer to bring personal inference to the subject.

Steve Cope received his B.F.A. from the Massachusetts College of Art and his M.F.A. from the Boston University. The artist cites the austere, geometric New England lines of his upbringing as inspiration for his serene spheres and compositions. The Open Studios Press selected the artist for their "New American Paintings" 2007 edition, and his works were cited in the curator's introduction. In addition to an active studio, Steve has taught art for more than 10 years, most recently at St. Joseph's University.

“Night Watch” opens Friday September 7th, with a First Friday reception from 5-8 p.m. The exhibition continues through September 29th. Projects Gallery is located at 629 N. 2nd Street in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Thursday noon to 5 p.m., and Friday and Saturday noon to 7 p.m. A preview of this artist’s works may be viewed on the gallery’s website at www.projectsgallery.com. For more information, please contact Projects Gallery at 267-303-9652 or info@projectsgallery.com.