September 7 – October 8 Opening Reception: Saturday, September 9, 5-8pm
440 Gallery is pleased to present Latitudes, a two-person exhibition featuring the sculpture of Richard Barnet and the paintings of Joy Makon.
Richard Barnet is a sculptor known for working figuratively and abstractly in terra cotta and cast bronze. His forms suggest figures and boats, but also take on abstraction and architectural elements such as towers, walls and arches. Barnet approaches his work with a scientific/objective focus—his resume includes two years of medical school—that becomes apparent to the viewer through his love of anatomy and the human figure. His bronze works have a physical and visual presence that is intensified by a studied use of patina, color and surface.
Joy Makon is a passionate observer of color and light; she explores the relationships of watercolor paint, heavy paper and contemporary reality. Her paintings are impressionistic observations of daily life through landscapes and seascapes, often with figures incorporated into the composition. Subjects come from neighborhoods in NYC, and from travels domestically and abroad. Makon employs classic drawing and watercolor techniques in her paintings. It is her unique approach to subject, composition, point-of-view that makes her work anything but traditional.
Latitudes, to Barnet and Makon, recalls the figurative and literal need to travel. Both artists have been privileged to travel; both artists share a love of the coastline and water. Their art interprets the spaces and emotions associated with locations familiar or new. Finally, both Richard and Joy strongly respect and embrace traditional materials and techniques, all while remaining aware of contemporary imagery around them.
Richard Barnet lives and works in NYC and has a BA from Antioch College; MA in sculpture from NYU; MFA in sculpture from Lehman College. He is a dedicated art educator and has taught at Cooper Union, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, The Art Students League of New York and College of Mount Saint Vincent. He is a member of the National Sculpture Society and the recipient of numerous grants and awards for his work. Since 1969 Barnet has exhibited extensively throughout the U.S. including solo shows at Southhampton College and the William Holman Gallery in NYC.
Joy Makon has a BFA in graphic design and photography from Tyler School of Art, Philadelphia, where she studied with John Moore, Stanislaw Zagorski and Joseph Scorsone. Her work has been shown in juried and gallery shows and can be found in private collections throughout the U.S. Makon has been recognized by the Art Directors Club, Society of Publication Designers and the Society of Illustrators, for her work as a magazine art director. She lives and works in Brooklyn.
440 Gallery is located at 440 Sixth Avenue in Park Slope, Brooklyn, between 9th and 10th Streets, and is convenient to the F, G, and R subways. The gallery is open on Thursday and Friday, 4pm – 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 7pm, or by appointment.
