Going Into the Dark

Exhibition Dates: February 26 - March 23, 2013

Reception: Thursday, February 28, 6 - 8 pm

The exhibition Going Into the Dark focuses on the dark paintings created by artists Charles Hinman, Ronnie Landfield, Peter Reginato and Amalia Piccinini. These oeuvres stand in clear opposition to the coloristic tradition dominating the contemporary art scene. A tradition that is present in major works by Charles Hinman, Ronnie Landfield and Peter Reginato. Throughout history artists like Rembrandt, Goya, Rothko, Bacon, Giacometti, Cecily Brown and Steven Parrino have captured the idea of darkness through their use of a specific palette, that went hand in hand with their painting technique and subject matter. These works suggest hidden unlit depths of the human mind and convey a sense of extreme introspection. American artists Charles Hinman, Ronnie Landfield and Peter Reginato have established themselves through their use of vibrant colors yet they will be showing the darker side of their work. For this exhibition their works will be shown together with a series of paintings by Amalia Piccinini, who belongs to another generation as well as to another cultural legacy being Italian, although based in New York for many years. Amalia Piccinini, the curator, describes the concept of the exhibition as follows: “When I walked through their studios in downtown New York, I was particularly impressed by the dark tone of their works. Following this experience I envisioned an exhibition that would put them together. I felt the urge to exhibit our works and collaborate because I saw the common modus operandi that we all shared.” When she invited Charles Hinman, Ronnie Landfield and Peter Reginato to exhibit, she was surprised to see what was for dark for them. She has known them for many years, and is aware of the undeniable differences. Nevertheless their works speak the same language – “the language of painting.”