NEW YORK, NY.- The Nancy Margolis Gallery announces the opening of Edward del Rosario’s second solo exhibition, April 12 through May 19, 2012. The exhibition includes both recent paintings and drawings.
Del Rosario meticulously paints and draws figures in fascinating webs of stories and events that are subtle, and enigmatic.The paintings, oil on linen/board, consist of an imaginary cast of strange expressionless characters staged on flat beautifully toned mono color backgrounds.The characters ornately painted are caught in curious comedic or dramatic action, suggestive of power plays, games, or conflicts, events that are seemingly in their beginning, ongoing or ending stages. The paintings are executed with rich gorgeous color, and a delicacy and refinement of an indian miniature or fine china painting. The paintings at quick glance appear as benign lovely figures however on closer scrutiny there emerges a surprising interaction engaging the group. The small single figure works, either painted or drawn, are executed with impeccable detail and are similar in subject matter to his painting. These works are often the starting point or studies for the more complex narrative in the larger paintings or may be stories that stand on their own.
Artist Statement
For the past eight years I have been using painting to explore a narrative that deals with power struggles and the aftermath of a post post-colonial world. My paintings, oil on linen and painted on an easel, consist of a cast of characters staged on minimalist color backgrounds. The cast of characters is numerous but finite and the compositions and backgrounds vary from painting to painting. The compositions are snapshots of characters engaged in some ambiguous comedic or dramatic scene drawn from the narrative. The scenes often redefine the narrative, and over the years, have modified and transformed it into an organic meta-narrative.
Del Rosario is a graduate of University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS for his BFA and received his MFA at Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI. He has had numerous solo and group shows throughout the United States and abroad and was awarded the silver medal at the Art Director’s Club 88th Annual Awards, 2009 and the illustration gold medal from the Society of Publication Designers, 2009. In addition, he received the MacDowell Fellowship, 2007 and the Special Editions Fellowship from the Lower East Side Printshop, 2005. His work can be seen in many collections including Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.
