August 21 - 21, 2024
From Archway Gallery:
“Archway Gallery presents Adam and Eve and the iPhone, featuring new paintings by John Slaby, on view September 7 – October 3, 2024.
The artist will be present to visit with guests on opening day, Saturday, September 7, from 2:00 p.m. through the end of the opening reception at 8:00p.m. He will also be present on Saturday, September 28, from 2:00 p.m. through the end of the closing reception at 8:00 p.m. Music events will be featured throughout the month.
In this new exhibition, John Slaby presents an eclectic collection of paintings created over the last three years with works addressing the effects of the ubiquitous smartphone on the culture, as well as reimagining cultural myths in contemporary environs. This show follows two successful shows: The Male Gaze of 2018 and Solipsism in 2021, both of which sold out. As before, half the sales will be donated to charity.
Included in the exhibition are Phone Prison, which shows the artist imprisoned in his phone with emotions mixed in with app names; Alterpiece referencing Medieval works which depict prelapsarian Adam and Eve on the exterior, revealing modern-day manifestations on the interior; The Serpent, depicting contemporary temptations and their consequences; Adam trans Eve, addressing issues of gender; and Holbein Self-Portrait, referencing art history. Also featured in this exhibition will be an ensemble of 100 small phone paintings on wood entitled Through the Phone. The variety of images encompases a range of human experiences and is the most ambitious single project undertaken by the artist.
All of the work in this exhibition will be offered in a silent auction, beginning on opening night through the closing reception on Saturday, September 28. John Slaby will be donating 50% of the sale proceeds to mental health charities. A similar process was used during his last two shows which raised over $25,000 for charities focused on women and children in need, mental health and healthcare for the homeless.
ABOUT JOHN SLABY: John Slaby’s paintings are noted for their highly creative nature and detailed realism. His art often focuses on the human condition, the shared experience of life and the connection created between the art, the artist and the viewer. John Slaby was born and raised in New York City and has been a resident of the Houston area for over 35 years. He has been pursuing his art seriously since his first outdoor show in 1989 at the then-called Westheimer Art Festival. Slaby has had numerous gallery shows in the Houston area and has received awards in many juried exhibitions. He joined Archway Gallery in 1993 and is one of the longest-serving members. He served as Director for several years and is currently the Treasurer. In recent years, John has been instrumental in promoting the gallery as a free space for local music groups such as WindSync, Kinetic Ensemble, Carya String Quartet, Rice Jazz Ensemble and Opus 4, among many others.
ABOUT ARCHWAY GALLERY Artist owned and operated since 1976. Archway Gallery, one of Houston’s, and the nation’s, oldest artist-owned and operated galleries, is located at 2305 Dunlavy and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 – 5 p.m. Since 1976, Archway Gallery has been exhibiting the work of the area’s finest artists, providing an excellent selection of affordable, high quality art including sculpture, pottery, and painting in a variety of media and styles. One of the more than thirty member artists is always on site, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to meet the artists who created the work, offering a personal insight into the process. Each month features a special exhibition highlighting member artist(s). The public is invited to the monthly opening receptions that celebrate the new installations and work, usually held the first Saturday of each month from 5 – 8 p.m. In addition to monthly exhibitions, Archway also hosts a variety of demonstrations and monthly readings for local writers and authors, as well as a “Tea and Tour” program, providing visitors with a free artist-led tour of the current exhibition, followed by tea and refreshments. With thirty artist-members, Archway Gallery is THE destination in the Houston area for affordable art directly from the artist. For more information, visit ArchwayGallery.com or call 713.522.2409. Like Archway Gallery on Facebook.”
Artist talk: August 21, 2024
John Slaby: Adam and Eve and the iPhone
,
Get directions