What Arthur B. Davies did for Ashcan artists and Warhol did for Campbell’s Soup cans, Kelynn Alder has done for Coney Island. - Terence Netter, DFA
(PRWEB) April 08, 2015
The Knox School, Saint James, NY, presents a special art exhibition entitled ‘Coney Island – Signage’ by internationally renowned artist Kelynn Z. Alder (http://www.kelynnalder.com). Reception is Saturday, April 11th from 3:30 – 6:30 PM. Artist will also be on location the 16th and 18th between 4:00 – 6:00 PM and collection will be available for public viewing throughout April by appointment.
The work is a compilation of paintings on canvas, paper and wooden objects. Each reflects a colorful synthesis of Coney Island and its catch phrases, hand-painted advertisements on boardwalk concession stands, arcade games, graffiti on walls. The collection portrays an authentic montage of boardwalk scenes of vendors and visitors to the historical recreation destination.
"What Arthur B. Davies did for Ashcan artists and Warhol did for Campbell’s Soup cans, Kelynn Alder has done for Coney Island. With her trained eye and expert painterly technique, she has transfigured a slice of mundane life into the realm of high art. Like her wondrous Mexican street scenes, she has shed her kindly artistic light on what is often viewed as the quintessence of vulgarity and enabled us to see -- I hesitate to use a word which is but ought not to be out of vogue in the contemporary art world -- the beauty and the energy in America's ionic Amusement Park. In so doing she has made some important icons of her own." - Terence Netter, DFA
Known internationally for her portraiture art from Aboriginal tribal elders to the Indigenous of the Lacandon Rainforest to cherished pets of her North Shore neighborhood, Alder has created her own version of banner painting, including a portrait of Coney Island’s long-time resident banner painter, Marie Roberts. The portrait, heralds Roberts on stage as the patron saint of side show performers. Another portrait of Alejandro Dubois, “The Pain Proof Puerto Rican” presents him glowing in front of the repeated graffiti, “I love my job” and frescoed banners. Alder has even created a “fantasy banner” of herself as an animal act ringleader.
Alder says, “Coney Island is a shot of adrenalin—being there makes me feel alive and happy. That’s what I wanted to bring home and share.”
For more information contact kelynnza(at)aol(dot)com or call: (631) 495-9283
Exhibit Location: The Knox School, Solarium Gallery at Houghton Hall, 541 Long Beach Road, Nissequogue, NY 11780
