Archway Gallery presents "The Male Gaze," featuring recent paintings by John Slaby. Breathing life into a staid and overworked art form, Slaby paints the human figure, predominately female, in a traditional, realist style with a contemporary twist.
He chose the provocative title, "The Male Gaze," as a challenge to the criticisms of this genre and sees his work as using the female form to represent all of humanity. These figures are the language Slaby uses to express his thoughts and feelings on the human condition.
The figures in this show reflect modern realities, where women have continued to take on the burdens traditionally reserved for men; thus, the depiction of Atlas as a woman. Several pieces in the show also confront issues of body shame. Barbie, one of the larger canvases at six feet in height, depicts a woman defiantly stepping on the eponymous doll. Flood, Slaby’s homage to the effects of Hurricane Harvey, is another large canvas and depicts a recovered photograph taped to a stained backboard. The trompe l’oeil style is disoriented by the large scale of the canvas.
The artist will be at the opening reception to visit with guests on Saturday, November 3, from 5-8 pm, and will discuss his work in a talk at 6:30 pm. The artist will also give a demonstration and technical talk on Sunday, November 18, from 4-5 pm. All the work in the show will be offered in a silent auction which starts on opening night and closes on Saturday, November 24. Slaby will be donating 50 percent of the proceeds of his show to local charities that will be selected by the patrons via popular vote. There will also be a music performance by members of KINETIC Ensemble and Loop 38 on Sunday, November 11, from 6-8 pm.
Archway Gallery presents "The Male Gaze," featuring recent paintings by John Slaby. Breathing life into a staid and overworked art form, Slaby paints the human figure, predominately female, in a traditional, realist style with a contemporary twist.
He chose the provocative title, "The Male Gaze," as a challenge to the criticisms of this genre and sees his work as using the female form to represent all of humanity. These figures are the language Slaby uses to express his thoughts and feelings on the human condition.
The figures in this show reflect modern realities, where women have continued to take on the burdens traditionally reserved for men; thus, the depiction of Atlas as a woman. Several pieces in the show also confront issues of body shame. Barbie, one of the larger canvases at six feet in height, depicts a woman defiantly stepping on the eponymous doll. Flood, Slaby’s homage to the effects of Hurricane Harvey, is another large canvas and depicts a recovered photograph taped to a stained backboard. The trompe l’oeil style is disoriented by the large scale of the canvas.
The artist will be at the opening reception to visit with guests on Saturday, November 3, from 5-8 pm, and will discuss his work in a talk at 6:30 pm. The artist will also give a demonstration and technical talk on Sunday, November 18, from 4-5 pm. All the work in the show will be offered in a silent auction which starts on opening night and closes on Saturday, November 24. Slaby will be donating 50 percent of the proceeds of his show to local charities that will be selected by the patrons via popular vote. There will also be a music performance by members of KINETIC Ensemble and Loop 38 on Sunday, November 11, from 6-8 pm.
Archway Gallery presents "The Male Gaze," featuring recent paintings by John Slaby. Breathing life into a staid and overworked art form, Slaby paints the human figure, predominately female, in a traditional, realist style with a contemporary twist.
He chose the provocative title, "The Male Gaze," as a challenge to the criticisms of this genre and sees his work as using the female form to represent all of humanity. These figures are the language Slaby uses to express his thoughts and feelings on the human condition.
The figures in this show reflect modern realities, where women have continued to take on the burdens traditionally reserved for men; thus, the depiction of Atlas as a woman. Several pieces in the show also confront issues of body shame. Barbie, one of the larger canvases at six feet in height, depicts a woman defiantly stepping on the eponymous doll. Flood, Slaby’s homage to the effects of Hurricane Harvey, is another large canvas and depicts a recovered photograph taped to a stained backboard. The trompe l’oeil style is disoriented by the large scale of the canvas.
The artist will be at the opening reception to visit with guests on Saturday, November 3, from 5-8 pm, and will discuss his work in a talk at 6:30 pm. The artist will also give a demonstration and technical talk on Sunday, November 18, from 4-5 pm. All the work in the show will be offered in a silent auction which starts on opening night and closes on Saturday, November 24. Slaby will be donating 50 percent of the proceeds of his show to local charities that will be selected by the patrons via popular vote. There will also be a music performance by members of KINETIC Ensemble and Loop 38 on Sunday, November 11, from 6-8 pm.