Amalia Piccinini and Stephen Maine present abstract painting exhibitions in Brooklyn exploring surface and process
In the spring of 2014, two exhibitions in Brooklyn delved into the themes of surface illusion and materiality. Amalia Piccinini showcased "Exile" at Art 101 from April 25 to May 18, presenting dark-hued canvases with textured paint that nod to Abstract Expressionism. Her pieces, including Touch (2014) and Privilege (2014), featured transparent colors layered over a matte black background. Meanwhile, Stephen Maine's "Halftone Paintings" was displayed at 490 Atlantic Gallery from April 5 to May 10, utilizing monoprinting to create layers of colored dots, highlighted by works HP13-0701 to HP13-0706 (2013) that combined light blue dots with orange. Both artists challenged traditional notions of painting, with Piccinini drawing on classical influences and Maine exploring mechanical reproduction.
Key facts
- Amalia Piccinini's exhibition "Exile" ran from April 25 to May 18, 2014 at Art 101 in Brooklyn
- Stephen Maine's exhibition "Halftone Paintings" ran from April 5 to May 10, 2014 at 490 Atlantic Gallery in Brooklyn
- Piccinini's works feature dark stains with paint accretions creating mottled textures
- Maine uses monoprinting methods to layer colored dots, mimicking dot printing processes
- Both artists conceptualize painting as coating, skin, or happy coincidence rather than traditional composition
- Piccinini's works reference Abstract Expressionism and classical painters like Tiepolo and El Greco
- Maine's paintings are titled with numbered series like HP13-0701 through HP13-0706 (all 2013)
- The exhibitions explore surface illusion and material facticity through distinct methodologies
Entities
Artists
- Amalia Piccinini
- Stephen Maine
- William Corwin
- Tiepolo
- El Greco
- Lichtenstein
- Polke
- Warhol
- Fra Angelico
- Hockney
- Alex Hay
Institutions
- Art 101
- 490 Atlantic Gallery
- artcritical
Locations
- Brooklyn
- New York
- United States
- Grand Street
- Berry Street
- Wythe Avenue
- Atlantic Avenue
- Nevins Street
- Third Avenue