For immediate release
January 13, 2011
“INTRODUCING”
January 20 to February 20, 2011
Opening reception: Thursday, January 20, 2011, 6 - 8 pm

Slag Gallery is pleased to announce this winter’s group show, “Introducing”

“Introducing” presents the work of six emerging artists. The commonality between these artists’ work is a play between opposites
and the friction or harmony that is resultant of it. Some themes addressed are classicism versus modernity, the overlapping and
sometimes overwhelming definitions of one subject, of cultural production and its dual effects, waste and beauty. Similar to the
gallery’s name, the work represented here is about how definition is itself by nature subjective and so is simultaneously lasting
and mutable.
“INTRODUCING” PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Melissa Carroll’s work is an exploration on human intimacy. Her paintings of portraiture capture both the character of a subject,
as well as the deeper, sometimes overwhelming emotional intensity that exists within one person at one moment.
Adam Miller is a figure painter most influenced by the High Renaissance and neo-classicism. What differentiates him from most
neo-mannerists however, is his acknowledgement of the contemporary, which is expressed through subject choice. An underlying
tension between opposites then becomes theme to his work; nature versus culture, a modern sensibility versus classical style. He
studied under Nelson Shanks at the Art Student League of New York.
Aaron Miller’s work is a social inquiry into class-consciousness and a deconstruction of false identity associated with materialism.
The format for his analysis is the harsh juxtaposition of elegant and industrial landscapes and imagination, often produced with
the use of seemingly opposing materials, such as oil and asphalt on panel, or other mixed-medias.
As a conceptual realist painter, Bruno Perillo’s varying uses of traditional techniques allow for a unique ability to construct diverse
narratives with friends and strangers as the muse. He studied at the Art Student League of New York under Nelson Shanks.
Fedele Spadafora is an American painter whose figurative work deals with contemporary urban themes in a technically skillful
manner. His work shows a wide range of influences, including sources as diverse as the Renaissance, popular culture, and his deep
ethnic roots. His current work is based on the human figure and draws its inspiration from the art of the great masters. He studied
at the Art Student League of New York under Nelson Shanks and Frank Porcu.
Jessica Tam’s current work uses the spectacle of professional wrestling as a starting point for abstracted painted struggles. For
the past few years, she has examined how, in American professional wrestling, the ring acts a specific kind of holding space that
showcases extreme but contained violent human interactions. Her paintings teeter on a line between the abstract and representa-
tional, her tones and compositional choices echo the violence found within the ring. She holds a MFA from Yale University.

“Introducing” will remain on view through February 20, 2011.

SLAG Gallery specializes in contemporary Eastern European and American art and is operated by owner/director Irina Protopopescu.

SLAG Gallery is located at 531 West 25th Street, Ground 10. (between 10th and 11th Avenues). Hours:
Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am to 6 pm.
www.slaggallery.com

For press inquires and reproductions contact Irina Protopopescu, 917 977 1848.
For general inquires contact the gallery at 212 967 9818.