Steve DiBenedetto's 'Toasted with Everything' at Derek Eller Gallery Explores Restraint in Exuberant Paintings

From March 22 to April 22, 2018, Steve DiBenedetto showcased eight new works in his exhibition 'Toasted with Everything' at Derek Eller Gallery, located at 300 Broome Street, New York City. The collection included pieces such as 'Three Third Eyes' (2018), 'Paramus Mars' (2018), and 'Inverse Evidence' (2018). Renowned for his earlier psychedelic depictions of octopi and helicopters at the Whitney Museum in 2005, DiBenedetto has transitioned to more abstract representations while retaining his signature vibrant colors and maximalist techniques. The exhibition's press release highlighted the presence of 'vibrant mutants' in the paintings, which engage in ambiguous, biomorphic interactions. The largest piece, 'Toasted with Everything' (2018), stands nearly ten feet tall and features four or five distinct figures on linen, illustrating DiBenedetto's exploration of scale and depth, balancing energetic brushwork with formal structure.