JAMES VALERIO

PAINTINGS: 1993-2003

April – May 2003

Starting April 3, 2003, George Adams Gallery will present a ten-year survey of paintings by JAMES VALERIO. The exhibition will include six large-scale paintings dating from 1993 - 2003, five of which have never been exhibited, as well as three drawings from the past year. A full-color catalogue will accompany the exhibition featuring an essay by John Arthur.

The exhibition, Valerio's first solo show devoted to his paintings since 1999, will include his two most recent works, Chicago, 2002 and Studio Exit, 2003. Chicago, Valerio's first cityscape oil, depicts a view from the North Side looking toward the center of the city, and includes a near life-scale self-portrait. Studio Exit, one of the largest canvases in the exhibition at 8 x 7 feet, is also in many respects a self-portrait as Valerio carefully renders his workplace in such detail as to suggest his presence.

Also included in the exhibition is Wilmette Night (Pat’s Convalescence) , 1999, a portrait of the artist's wife following an operation. She is shown reclining, shrouded in near darkness with the twilight sky just visible through the window behind her. In contrast, Laila with Quinces, 2001, one of Valerio's most sensuous nudes, is bathed in bright light with the model posed seated, holding a plate of ripe fruit on a silver tray.

In addition, the exhibition features two large still-life paintings: Melons, 1997, an homage to the Dutch masters, and Monkey Still-life from 1994, a surreal composition which includes a toy monkey dangling from a string and a plaster-cast self-portrait resting in tinfoil. As John Arthur writes, Valerio's "edgy insinuations behind these seemingly mundane subjects and objects seem to always allude to a bit more than we can comprehend."

James Valerio: Paintings 1993-2003 is accompanied by a 24-page catalogue reproducing 12 paintings. The exhibition continues through May. Images can be viewed on the gallery's website at www.artnet.com/gadams.html and on the Art Dealers Association website, www.artdearlers.org.

Upcoming Exhibitions:
June – August: Road Trip. Invitational group exhibition of images of travel and tourism.

October – November: Lesley Dill. New Works