http://www.jonathanlevinegallery.com/
529 West 20th St., 9th floor – Chelsea

Jonathan Levine is one of the top galleries in Chelsea and we frequently visit all of the galleries in 529 West 20th with this gallery as the destination.  Their April/May Show features three completely contrasting artists.  One creates sculpture from pieces of skateboard, another does watercolors with a child-like animation (as well as little miniatures made of children’s toys), and the third is explosive, real and sexual.  Quite the mix, I must say.

Haroshi – Future Primitive

Haroshi creates 3D sculpture from skateboard decks.  He stacks them, then carves the shape creating interesting striped layers of wood or he cuts them into pieces and creates a mosaic. This is his first show in the US and many of the pieces are inspired by NYC.  His technique is inspired by an ancient Japanese technique used to create Buddhas brought into this century with the medium and technology.  The attention to detail on this work is phenomenal.  There are also little objects hidden within the sculptures which he displays via x-ray.

Souther Salazar – You Come Too

This artist is from California and the difference in attitude and discipline from Hiroshi’s work is clear. These are relaxed, happy and child-like works.  Most are watercolor and mixed media. There are companion miniatures made of miscellaneous objects, mostly children’s toys.  His painting style is very juvenile and I feel the fantasies and ideas they represent are more impressive than the actual execution. But the little sculptures are kind of clever and made me smile.

Van Arno – The Minstrel Cycle

The last artist is diametrically opposed to the whimsical style of Salazar.  These pieces are graphic and the subject matter is quite grown up!  All of the works are oil on canvas and feature nudes depicting various historical or mythological events centered on race and music.  The color is vibrant and the figures pop off of the canvas.  The anatomy and musculature is highly exaggerated.