NEW YORK, NY.- Cynthia-Reeves Projects presents new work by sculptor Jonathan Prince at 535 Madison Avenue, in conjunction with Christie’s and Park Tower Group. Two of Prince’s new sculptures, one which continue his exploration of ‘torn steel’, and a second, which debuts his new body of work ‘states of matter’, will be on view from Friday, February 10 through Friday, March 30, 2012.
Known for his work in African and Cambrian black granite, Prince has, over the past two years, broadened his visual inquiry through a vanguard technique of "tearing steel." He begins by reducing the steel to its most elemental state: the more basic the shape, in his words, "the more past and future seem indistinguishable." In the Torn Steel series, represented in this exhibition by Prince’s “Bore Block,” the tears are laboriously hand-worked to create an undulating and reflective surface. The new steel lies in stark contrast to the un-worked, oxidized metal, positing a narrative of a form still in evolution. In the newest work, “Southern Remnant,” the steel is highly polished to a mirror finish. The pristine stainless steel is a beautiful foil to the lush, sandstone patina of the rusted steel.
Prince is making his mark on Madison Avenue, having just shown four signature works from the Torn Steel series at the 590 Madison Avenue Sculpture Garden. The exhibition was reviewed by a number of noted art critics, who each responded in a visceral way to the tactile quality of the material, and the juxtaposition of patinas:
James Balestrieri wrote: “The contrast between the outer, oxidized surfaces, and the tears – areas of highly polished new steel – indicate the passage of time, neglect, forgetting. This is the Stonehenge of an advanced civilization… Yet, strange to say, it’s the oxidization, the rust, if you will, that keeps the works from feeling unapproachable. The red, orange and brown rust glows like fine sand at evening, begging to be touched.” [American Art Collector, January 2012]
Whitewall Magazine commented, “working in mediums of wood, stone and metal, Prince's dynamic geometric sculptures draw inspiration from his background in science, natural history, and optics. Each piece - large or small - begs the viewer to step closer and interact." [August 2011]
“In his new series, Torn Steel, [Prince] uses steel, oxidized and stainless steel to implement his vision… Each sculpture, though massive in appearance, is, in actuality, deceptively hollow. The naturally oxidized appearance that weathered steel effortlessly acquires, is, in the case of Prince’s work, a labor-intensive process that is anything but random. [His] technique of exposing the seemingly molten innards buried deep within the sculpture’s hard outer shell…conjures up images of the earth’s fiery center, and thoughts of the human body housing an active soul.” Edward Rubin, ARTes Magazine, October 2011.
Cynthia-Reeves Projects sponsors this compelling new exhibition by Prince as part of an ongoing program of off-site exhibitions in New York and nationally. As a way of expanding the gallery model, Cynthia-Reeves Projects has initiated a number of innovative projects that provide the opportunity to curate significant exhibitions, and focus on specific and timely issues around their artists’ works.
535 Madison is located at 54th Street, and is owned and managed by Park Tower Group. Christie’s maintains the programming of sculpture exhibits in the adjacent outdoor plaza.
