Jonathan Levine Gallery – infra:REAL – IMAGINATIVE REALISM

Left:   Unseen   by  Brad Kunkle                                       right:  Passages  by  Dorian Vallejo

Next week will see the opening of a new exhibit at the Jonathan Levine Gallery, representing another step toward the recognition of Imaginative Realism as a major undercurrent in contemporary figurative art.  While this show only touches the surface of the incredible talent working within the field, it offers a wonderful survey of the pluralistic voices of artists which have made this genre their home for decades.  Below are a few thoughts from the gallery and an article from the website WideWalls.

Red Sugar  (in progress)  by  Rebeca Leveille Guay

Patrick Wilshire Curates infra:REAL – The Art of Imaginative Realism at Jonathan LeVine Gallery

 by

Anika D. 

  

One of the most voluminous shows in the field of imaginative realism will be on view at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in
New York during the month of August. If you’ve ever wondered how visions
of metaphysical, subconscious and surreal can come to life through
detailed objective and realistic representation, thirty-seven
international artists, brought together for infra:REAL – The Art of Imaginative Realism
exhibition, are bound to demonstrate through their extensive line of
artworks. The exhibition will be guest-curated by Patrick Wilshire,
historian, collector and imaginative realism specialist.

Pagan   by   John Jude Palencar

Imaginative Realism in Contemporary Art

The art of realism depends on the artist’s observational abilities
and his technical skills in visual repetition of objects as they are
seen in their nature-like forms. This representation of ‘natura
naturata’ in Spinozian terms, is seriously challenged once it comes to
the artistic styles that keep their connection to the aesthetic of
realism but represent objects or landscapes that can’t actually be found
in the real surroundings. The art of imaginative realism at infra:REAL exhibition is dealing with this kind of artistic engagement, exploring the way in which visionary and imagined
objects can be transposed into realistic imagery. The works of the
participating artists vary in their individual style but some shared
motifs or inspirations can be singled out, such as their inclination to
mythical and archetypical imagery and exploration of subconscious
symbolism in individual and collective terms. These artists depict our
shared memory of the past as well as the visions of the future with the
common thread being the use of traditional and classical techniques in
representation of narratives, whether they are imaginary or real.  

Haven   by   Michael C. Hayes

The Artists of Imaginative Realism

Some of the most illustrious contemporary artists, creating their
works in the field of imaginative realism, are invited to participate in
the staging of this monumental exhibition. The line-up for infra:REAL
exhibition is vast, and we are bringing the list of names in whole. The
roster will feature the following artists: Allen Williams, Anthony
Palumbo, Billy Norrby, Bob Eggleton, Boris Vallejo, Brad Kunkle, Brom,
David Palumbo, Donato Giancola, Dorian Vallejo, Eric Velhagen, Greg
Hildebrandt, Ian Miller, Jeffrey Watts, Jeremy Mann, Jim Burns, Jim
Pavelec, John Harris, John Jude Palencar, Julie Bell, Justin Sweet, Kirk
Reinert, Laurie Lee Brom, Marc Fishman, Matthew Stewart, Michael C.
Hayes, Michael Whelan, Patrick Jones, R. Leveille-Guay, Rick Berry, Robh
Ruppel, Scott Burdick, Stephan Hickman, Thomas Kuebler, Vincent
Villafranca, Virginie Ropars and Wayne Haag.

Promethean Costs   by   Donato Giancola

Imaginative realism is the cutting edge of contemporary realism,
combining classical technique with postmodern narrative subjects.
Focusing on the unreal, the unseen, and the impossible, this genre
offers visions of humanity’s mythic past, its unexplored future and, in
some cases, its terrifying present. Just as science fiction serves for
many as the archetype of postmodern literature with its fascination with
the “other” and the unknown, imaginative realism brings this same
narrative to the figurative arts. 


infra:REAL is a group exhibition in the most classical sense,
presenting the width and breadth of imaginative realism under a single
banner. The exhibition features the work of thirty-seven artists, all of
whom share a fascination with the narrative of “What if?” and have a
strong connection to the mythic taproot that burrows deep into our
collective subconscious. Their technical approaches vary, from academic
to avant-garde, but all are among the finest realist artists in the
world, turning your vision “infra-real” and giving a glimpse above,
below, and beyond the reality that both comforts and restricts us all.     —Patrick Wilshire, Curator

Lord Kashaol   by  Brom

Moon Children    by   David Palumbo