Carl D’Alvia
Sculpture
January 10 - February 16, 2008
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 10, 6 - 8 pm
Derek Eller Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of sculpture and work on paper by Carl D’Alvia.
In his second solo show at the gallery, D'Alvia continues his exploration of the absurd, the tender and the nature of contradiction. On view will be a selection of bronze, resin and marble sculptures realized in a variety of forms ranging from the abstract and geometric to the figurative and anthropomorphic. Despite differences in scale, medium, color and form, all are similarly veiled by an aggressive hair texture that transfigures and redefines the underlying object. The sculptures will be presented with a collection of ink drawings that further articulate the artist’s vision.
D'Alvia works in a sculptural idiom that is decidedly hyper-visual, artisanal and history laden. He has developed proprietary sculptural processes that co-opt existing means of traditional and industrial production. Drawing on sources that include megalithic monuments, toy design and the Baroque style, the work encapsulates seemingly antithetical motifs such as minimal/ornate, industrial/handmade, comic/tragic, progress/destruction and attraction/repulsion. Reminiscent of the strategies of Jeff Koons, Katharina Fritsch, Richard Artschwager and John McCracken, these obscured and shrouded creatures have a deceptive quality and engage the viewer with their rich, dark humor.
Carl D’Alvia lives and works in New York. He has exhibited widely throughout the United States and Europe.
Derek Eller Gallery is located at 615 West 27th Street, between 11th and 12th Avenues. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 11am - 6pm. For further information or visuals, please contact the gallery at 212.206.6411 or visit www.derekeller.com.