Jacques Desgagnés: Self-Portraits at Play at Agora Gallery

Jan. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- For Québec painter Jacques Desgagnés, art strives to express both abstract thoughts and emotions and a more objective truth. These dual pursuits are reflected in his playfully complex expressionist canvases. In his recent series of 16 self-portraits, he stars in his own paintings, depicting himself in styles of portraiture that vary from thick, woodblock-like black and white to hyperreal precision and Francis Bacon-esque tortured grimaces. The artist often stares back at the viewer through his work, sometimes wide-eyed or blankly, elsewhere with looks of concern and uncertainty.

In other paintings, in contrast to the subtle application of the oil paints which Desgagnés uses to render facial details, abstract textures dominate. The artist layers thick swaths of blacks, reds and browns in grid-like arrangements that evoke the works of famous Quebec modernists Jean-Paul Riopelle and Paul-Émile Borduas. Unlike them, though, he is equally comfortable departing from those darker, brooding backdrops to create bright, swirling environments that add a note of absurdist humor to his powerful, existentialist compositions.

Exhibition Dates: January 17, 2012 – February 7, 2012
Reception: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Gallery Location: 530 West 25th St, New York City
Gallery Hours: Tues – Sat, 11a.m. - 6 p.m.
Event URL: http://www.agora-gallery.com/artistpage/Jacques_Desgagnes...

About the Exhibition:

Agora Gallery dives into the New Year with three exhibitions which explore the rich potential revealed through the creative power of art. Figuratively Speaking investigates the varying sources of inspiration that motivate and direct artists in their imaginative process. Combining a reflection on the most esoteric levels of experience with an understanding of the innately physical nature of the world, these works display a sensitive and emotive comprehension of what it means to be human. The art in Portal to Enigma looks to the hidden secrets and mysteries that help to define existence as we know it, approaching these intriguing topics from a variety of intelligent and innovative perspectives. The result is appealing, thought-provoking and ultimately represents a call to alter the way we view the world and each other. The artists of Degrees of Abstraction concentrate on encapsulating the essence of what they see and sharing their unique viewpoint with their audience. Focusing on form, shape and color in their determination to portray their personal vision, they achieve the ability to construct their message in universal terms as well. The exhibitions will open on January 17, 2012 and run until February 7, 2012. The opening reception will take place on Thursday January 19, 2012 at 6-8 PM. Entrance is free and all art enthusiasts are encouraged to attend.


Featured Artists:

Figuratively Speaking
Jim Cobb  |  Nancy De Boni  |  Lane M. Duncan  |  Pat Gastreich  |  Eliza Gomez  |  Gwen Graham  |  Patrick Mason  |  Coco Mobuli  |  Trevin Prince  |  Shyamala Rao  |  Mark Salevitz  |  Carmen Sotuela

Degrees of Abstraction

Sevega Adriano  |  Lawrence R. Armstrong  |  Brigitte Balbinot  |  Christian Bundegaard  |  Carmen Egea  |  Yuri Elperin  |  Ivana Kosanovic  |  Deva Lei  |  Marianna Merler  |  Marjolijn Oude Vrielink  |  Andreas Strobel

Portal to Enigma

Mauricio Cadavid  |  Roula Chreim  |  Rodolfo Cuesta  |  Jacques Desgagnés  |  Debra Fitzsimmons  |  Ignacio Hábrika  |  Kiko Sobrino  |  Jesús Uclés  |  Zae Ulrich  |  Aleksandra Vavilova


About Agora Gallery
Agora Gallery is a fine art gallery, established in 1984 and located in the heart of New York City’s Chelsea art galleries district. It is famous for showcasing a spectacular array of talented artists from around the world and around the corner, while providing quality and original art to collectors. Gallery II, an elegant adjacent gallery space, gives artists the ideal area for a solo or group exhibition of their own, organized and publicized by Agora Gallery. The gallery also publishes ARTisSpectrum Magazine, a bi-annual magazine that is distributed to museums, galleries, art institutions and art schools around the world. It provides artists, collectors, museums, galleries, art organizations and enthusiasts with access to the work of international talented artists as well as feature articles, reviews and interviews. Agora Gallery is also the sponsor of ARTmine, one of the most comprehensive resources available worldwide to view and purchase fine art. The gallery also runs Agora Art Blog, a blog designed to provide helpful information and advice for artists while providing a forum for artists to help one another by sharing their experiences and thoughts.