Exhibition: Natalia Wróbel in Times Square

Odyssey: Natalia Wróbel

151 W 42nd Street, New York, NY
January 9 – June 6, 2020
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 16, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Abigail Ogilvy Gallery is thrilled to announce Natalia Wróbel’s forthcoming solo exhibition in New York City from January 9 – June 6th, 2020 in partnership with Chashama. On view is her largest oil painting to date, We Are All Made of Light, with the canvas spanning twenty-seven feet of wall space in the lobby of 151 West 42nd Street located in Times Square. We Are All Made of Light was first exhibited at Abigail Ogilvy Gallery in 2018. The painting exists along the threshold of abstraction and representation, with forms seemingly coming together and breaking apart at the same time. Within the piece, there are suggestions of understood forms and images, but never enough that the painting or any element in them is prescriptive. The viewer has agency in this exhibition; their observation, contemplation and engagement completes the work, giving it a multi-faceted, yet personal meaning.

My work examines the coexistence of dualities- chaos and harmony, dark and light, movement and stillness, abandon and control, open fluidity vs. tightly wound spaces- and attempt at resolution as a metaphor for the endurance and adaptability of the human spirit. Oscillating between two ends of the spectrum creates a sense of vibration within the composition that gives it life.
- Natalia Wróbel, Artist

The building, also known as One Five One, is widely regarded as the first green skyscraper in the United States, and was the first project of its size to adopt standards for energy efficiency, indoor air quality, tenant comfort, sustainable materials, and responsible construction. Home of NASDAQ’s headquarters and many other notable tenants, Wróbel’s painting will act as a source of grounding for otherwise hurried visitors as they enter and exit the building. Passing by the large-scale painting, the viewer will be encouraged to slow down and appreciate the intricacies found within the piece. Wróbel brings the viewer on a journey through her hyper-saturated abstracted pseudo-landscapes – encouraging the viewer to experience their own inner transformation through heightened observation and presence.

The artwork will seamlessly fit in to the building’s environment and mission, one that supports a progressive workplace, providing sustainable spaces that promote wellness and community where their tenants and their guests can eat, play, work and thrive. Wróbel’s work references mindfulness philosophy, neural networks, elements from nature, musical harmony, ancient architecture, and theories about the interconnectedness of the universe to elicit energized and meditative abstractions. She believes in the resonant beauty of simple moments and the emotional, visceral and transformational impact of color.

About Chashama:
Chashama was founded in 1995 by Anita Durst to celebrate the legacy of theatre visionary Reza Abdoh. Chashama’s initial focus was on the production and presentation of new theatre. Recognizing that a lack of affordable space was the biggest threat to sustaining a diverse cultural environment in New York City, they began to work toward securing studio and presentation space in Midtown Manhattan for struggling artists by partnering with Property Owners that provide unused space to Chashama. In the first decade, they secured seven locations on 42nd street between 6th and Broadway, presenting over 700 shows. Since then, they’ve moved from midtown Manhattan to the 5 boroughs and beyond, giving artists work and presentation spaces, as well as providing free art workshops in under-served communities. Currently, they present 150 events a year, have workspace for 120 artists, and have developed 80 workshops in under-served communities.

Inquiries:
Allyson Boli, Director of Abigail Ogilvy Gallery
allyson@abigailogilvy.com
617-820-5173

Click for more details: https://chashama.org/event/odyssey/