Opening Reception with the Artist
First Friday, May 7, 6 - 8:30 pm
In the Vault Room:
"Au Printemps" by Lori Bruno
The Bridgette Mayer Gallery is pleased to present its first solo exhibition by artist Joe McAleer. "Optic Diamonds" will be on view from May 4 – 29, 2010, with an opening reception First Friday, May 7, from 6:00 - 8:30 pm. The exhibition will feature twelve dynamic abstract paintings and photographic montages. Also on view in the Vault Room will be an exhibition of new monoprints by Lori Bruno.
Joe McAleer's Optic Diamond series descends from a strong and often under-recognized tradition of Op-Artists, such as Bridget Riley, Victor Vasarely, and Philadelphian Edna Andrade. Developing what he calls a "jumpsquare" over three years ago, McAleer began to explore the potential of simple lines and shapes to charge a composition with movement. His work has since progressed into obsessively and precisely constructed optic abstractions that challenge the viewers' traditional perception of the two dimensional picture plane. Says the artist: " Working with partially obscured photographs, varying line weight, and an intuitive palette, I have expanded the possibilities of the basic forms that underlie my work, shifting their emphasis to reveal a wide array of visual possibility in a seemingly narrow set of formal options."
Joe McAleer received his B.A. and M.A. from Rowan University in New Jersey. His work has been exhibited at the Locks Gallery (Philadelphia, PA), Perkins Center for the Arts (Moorestown, NJ), Rowan University (Glassboro, NJ), The College of New Jersey (Trenton, NJ), among other venues. McAleer had a 40-year teaching career in New Jersey and in 1994 was honored with the Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Teaching from The State of New Jersey's "Governor's Teacher Recognition Program." The artist lives and works in Moorestown, NJ and Bonita Springs, FL.
Gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. & by appointment. For additional information please contact Bridgette Mayer at tel 215 413 8893 fax 215 413 2283