Three New York Realism Veterans Exhibit in 2007 Shows

In April 2007, New York hosts three exhibitions featuring key figures from the 1960s revival of perceptual realism: Alfred Leslie, Sylvia Sleigh, and Philip Pearlstein. At Ameringer Yohe, Leslie’s display, running until April 21, includes pieces from 1964 to 1990, notably a self-portrait that reflects on Frank O'Hara's passing. Sleigh's showcase at I-20, available until May 10, presents her 1970s creations that merge naive aesthetics with familiar themes. Pearlstein's latest works at Betty Cuningham, on view until April 28, delve into optical themes, such as toys. The exhibitions highlight realism's resilience against abstraction, featuring emerging artists like Philip Akkerman and Delia Brown. David Elliott's essay in the catalogue critiques modernist views of Leslie's art, connecting it to the New York School's cultural landscape.