Gallery I
February 3–27, 2021
Susan Grabel
Homeless in the Land of Plenty–Redux
| Ceres Gallery is pleased to present Susan Grabel’s exhibition, Homeless in the Land of Plenty – Redux. Grabel has a long tradition of social commentary in her work. Through it she explores the social and political realities of modern society and tries to evoke the complex web of feelings that these realities engender. In the 1980’s while commuting to her job in Manhattan, she was confronted with the burgeoning population of homeless people on the streets. She then began a series of work on homelessness with the purpose of bringing the plight of these people to the fore and showing their humanity. “We usually ignore homeless people; we pass them by as if they were invisible. They represent the failures of our society and we don’t want to face them”. Using clay and wood in narrative sculptural environments, Grabel captures the desolation, alienation and humanity of homeless people. She tells their stories of living on the edge of society, surviving as best they can on the streets. Through her work, she hopes to give them voice and agency. First shown in 1989 at Prince Street Gallery, this poignant work is, unfortunately, also painfully relevant today. The artist will be present Saturdays, February 6 & 20, 12-6 pm and Saturday, February 27, 3:00-5 pm. |
Gallery II
February 3–27, 2021
Francine Perlman
Now and Then
| Francine Perlman presents excerpts from her new book Arc of the Viral Universe, and a recent book-sculpture that signals the start of a new direction, together with large abstract oil pastels from much earlier in her career. Arc of the Viral Universe is a year-long collaboration (April 2020-April 2021) with poets, writers, photographers, and arts professionals, each creating their own books for this project initiated by feminist artist Carla Rae Johnson. In her book, Perlman is having a conversation with Mystery Dearest, the name she’s given to the coronavirus, in text, drawings, and monotypes. Beginning with anger, Perlman slowly develops a fondness for Mystery, a friendship of sorts, in recognition of the reality that Mystery has in fact facilitated the downfall of a tyrant, though with the death count of global war. As a staunch anti-plastic crusader and a commitment to the health of the oceans, which are seriously endangered, Perlman’s created her book-sculpture Story of the Sea, with wooden covers and 10 pages of viscosity monotypes on delicate translucent Japanese paper. The story begins with many lively sea creatures, and then comes the plastic floating into the sea. Finally, there is the dark ending. Perlman has had a joyous reunion with large oil pastels she has not shown in many years, and is very happy to be presenting these works as well. The artist will be present Saturdays, February 13, 20, and 27, 3-6 pm. |
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Masks are required at all times.
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212.947.6100.
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