Dana Reifler
September 28, 2007 – November 3, 2007
Opening Reception: September 28, 7-10pm
Gallery Imperato is pleased to announce an exhibition of works by Alyssa Dennis and Dana Reifler. Exploring the idea of the human element within the confines of Architectonic forces, their work plays with notions of construction while creating stunningly poetic imagery.
Alyssa Dennis captures the progression of photographic technology adapted to her various mediums. Inspired by the historical transformations in photography, her work simultaneously incorporates age-old black and white, with distinct sepia tones and the vivid colors of the present. Recognizing this technological and tonal timeline, Dennis’ work breaks from the linear timeline by layering history in and upon itself to create a succinct tangential expression of photographic history. Using graphite, pigment and elements of collage, she loosely constructs surreal situations that explore line versus mass and the balance of positive versus negative space.
Dana Reifler explores the relationship between the biological and the mechanical with her abstraction and simplification of shapes rather than through realistic imitation. Often incorporating combinations of sheetrock, oil and ink, graphite and cut-paper, the works breathe with the presence of the artist, yet express a visceral disposition towards the complex systems found in nature, technology and architecture. Playing with the notion of a form recognition continuum, her work moves through the organic and inorganic, often creating a hybrid between the two.
Alyssa Dennis
Alyssa Dennis was born in Springfield, MA. She received her BA in Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art in 2003. Her work has shown in Tokyo and many national and local venues such as The Walters Art Museum and The Current Gallery. Dennis is a two-time recipient of the Maryland State Council in the Arts fellowship and was recently featured in New American Paintings, No. 69. She currently lives in Towson, MD.
Dana Reifler was born in Seattle, WA. In 2000, she received her BA from Wake Forest University where she studied Fine Art and Psychology. She received her MFA from the Hoffberger School of Painting, and has exhibited both locally, regionally and internationally. Reifler is the 2005 recipient of the Maryland Institute College of Art Graduate Painting award. She currently lives and works in Baltimore, MD.
