Abstract Abstraction (abstract, but not too abstract)
OPEN CALL
Abstract Abstraction
(abstract, but not too abstract)
curated by Marilee Cooper and Michele Bonelli
Opening Reception: Thursday, Oct 12th, 5-8pm
The LIC-A Art Space @ The Factory LIC
30-30 37th Ave, LIC NY 11101
The exhibit will consist of 2D/3D Art that exhibits varying levels of abstract or abstracted composition. The style of the works can be Hard Edge, Color field, Expressionistic, with or without representational elements, as long as the overall composition conforms at minimum to the definition of "Abstraction" (no fully academic or traditional representation).
Abstract art, by definition, speaks for itself.
Background of the curators:
Marilee Mellion Cooper was born and raised in Sunnyside Gardens in LIC, She was the only American born child of parents who lived in Vienna during the art and cultural boom of the early 1900’s, continuing with the Bauhaus movement. Her parents fled the Holocaust, and the cultural landscape of NY was their destination. She was nurtured by her architect father and milliner mother. Art and culture was an integral part of her upbringing. Hence, Aesthetics has always held a profound place in her life's journey.
She has been a member of LIC-A since its inception. Margret Dreikausen, the founder of LIC-A, Inc. asked her to be VP, and she held that position, through many artful years, until 2023 when she stepped down. Her commitment to this wonderful organization continues.
In her formative years, she studied at the Art Students League, and later received a BFA with honors from Pratt Institute. Her Master’s was in rearing her first born, Jason, and her PHD has been on finding how to be a mother, a wife, care for home, have a money job, and be able to do art. She did the money job thing, but her family was able to pay for her PHD, so her studio was a given. She has been interviewed and been in print. Her paintings have many homes, when someone can eke them out of her. Her studio at PaintCan - during Open studios - turns into a fantasy gallery; full of commitment and joy, until doors open somewhere else in this universe to house her work.
Michele Bonelli attended Fordham University, majoring in Fine Arts and Business, SVA majoring in sculpture and graphics and studies at the Art Students League, painting, 8 years. She received her MFA at City College, majoring in painting and printmaking as well as two years of private study in sculpture.
Her work has been published in Artnews, Boston Globe, Star Ledger, Villager, Pulse Magazine. She is in collaboration with PaintCan Studios, co-owner, manager; Beth Urdang Gallery, Boston, MA; NLAPW-Manhattan; NYSWA; LIC-A; National Society of Mural Painters.
Curatorial experience included the Lever House; Cork Gallery, Lincoln Center; Belskie Museum, St. Francis College, Broome Street Gallery, Venezuelan Consulate; Manhattan Borough President's Office; National Arts Club; Grace Institute; Taller Boricua Gallery; Weill Cornell Library; CitiBank Atrium, BASSA; Serendipity Gallery; Waterside Plaza Gallery; LIC Garage Pop up; etc...
Note from the curators:
Marilee Cooper and Michele Bonelli have been friends and business partners for over 20 years and jointly run the PaintCan Studios complex on 44th Avenue in LIC, Queens.
It is our pleasure to have been invited to curate this up and coming exhibition "ABSTRACT/ABSTRACTION"(abstract, but not too abstract) at the LIC-A Art Space at The Factory from October 12 to November 22, 2023.