Alla Podolsky and James Pryor: Introspection

"Introspection"

featuring Alla Podolsky and James Pryor

May 8 - June 1, 2014

Opening reception: Saturday, May 10, 5-9 pm

Closing Reception: Sunday, June 1, 1-3 pm

"My images play both in emotion and technique, while portraying private thoughts as public displays." —James Pryor.

"To produce any kind of work, an artist must look inside first. Artists are the ultimate observers, examiners, and interpreters of the internal for the outside world." —Alla Podolsky

Photographer James Pryor and painter Alla Podolsky, both of the Artists' Gallery in Lambertville, NJ, share their new work in "Introspection," a joint show running Thursday, May 8 through Sunday, June 1.

An opening reception will be held Saturday, May 10, from 5 pm to 9 pm. The artists will also host a closing reception from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on June 1. All are welcome!

"I paint moments, slices of time," says Alla Podolsky, "either taken directly from events or supplied by recollection and imagination. Often those intermingle, creating a different kind of reality. They are intensely personal, and yet, I believe, universal. We all carry whole worlds inside ourselves, and it's our job as artist to communicate them, to give them space, interpretation, and life on the outside. We are in a rather unique position of looking inward by expressing outward. Our introspections are public." Alla Podolsky traces her love of psychological painting to the ancient Byzantine icons she saw as a child in Kiev, Ukraine, the city where she was born and raised. She considers herself a "human" painter, the one who paints people, experiences that are inextricably theirs, bearing the stamps of their humanity. Her work deals with the traces people leave on their surroundings and times, and with the traces the surroundings and time leave on the people.

"My style and images combine into subtle emotions that engage the viewer. I have always believed that one should put to print what stimulates," states James Pryor. Combining his custom adapted flex body camera along with his unique printing methods, he has established a creative dreamlike "other-world" through select focus with textural dimension. "My images play both in emotion and technique, while portraying private thoughts as public displays. I find myself emotionally divided as to exhibit my impressions while guarding my intention. If my images are to be taken literally, then let the viewer come to respect my work as simply honest. Whether my subjects are human figures, places or themes, all interpretations remain emotionally confined within a single dimensional print; this art is my passion." Having studied psychology, philosophy and a little theology, James' visual environment is one of awakening. His images explore reactions to strength, weakness, assertion, submission and the beauty that surrounds.

Artists' Gallery, 18 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ - map & directions
Gallery hours: Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sunday 11 am - 6 pm
www.lambertvillearts.com