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DANNY HELLER: CITY MODERNISM II
April 11th - May 16th, 2015 Artist Reception: Saturday, April 11th, 5 - 8pm |
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
George Billis Gallery is pleased to present the gallery’s fourth solo exhibition of work by Danny Heller. The exhibition features the artist’s newest body of photorealist oil paintings of Mid-Century Modern architecture in downtown Los Angeles and continues through May 16th.
The artist writes of his work: “I paint the reality of the Southern California environment: how structures once revered for their groundbreaking ideas in design and social planning have been perpetuated and how they have been forgotten.
Primarily focusing on the area’s mid-century identity, I play with lighting, dramatic angles, and particular colors to form engaging paintings that also capture specific design elements. Anchored in photo-realism, I study the dynamic forms of my subject matter, finding a common thread between the graceful lines of a Modern house, the chrome bumper of a vintage car, and a classic piece of mid-century furniture. In this, I not only capture, but expose, an American culture often overlooked and undervalued in a world that emphasizes constant change.
Going further, one gets the sense that these paintings are scenes, reminiscent of sets where a deeper narrative might be taking place. While meticulously rendered, they display a sense of overall staging, alluding to some action that might have taken place or is about to. This suggests that as objectively as I document these spaces, perhaps there’s more going on under the surface.”
Danny Heller received his BA in paintings from UC Santa Barbara in 2004 and has exhibited extensively throughout Southern California as well as in Denver, Chicago, Washington DC, and Boulonge-Billancourt, France. His work has been published in Southwest Art, CA Modern Magazine, Atomic Ranch Magazine, North Valley Community News, New American Paintings #73, and most recently was profiled on KCET and will be the subject of a documentary in late 2012. He currently lives and works in Palm Desert, CA.
Back to Artist Page
The artist writes of his work: “I paint the reality of the Southern California environment: how structures once revered for their groundbreaking ideas in design and social planning have been perpetuated and how they have been forgotten.
Primarily focusing on the area’s mid-century identity, I play with lighting, dramatic angles, and particular colors to form engaging paintings that also capture specific design elements. Anchored in photo-realism, I study the dynamic forms of my subject matter, finding a common thread between the graceful lines of a Modern house, the chrome bumper of a vintage car, and a classic piece of mid-century furniture. In this, I not only capture, but expose, an American culture often overlooked and undervalued in a world that emphasizes constant change.
Going further, one gets the sense that these paintings are scenes, reminiscent of sets where a deeper narrative might be taking place. While meticulously rendered, they display a sense of overall staging, alluding to some action that might have taken place or is about to. This suggests that as objectively as I document these spaces, perhaps there’s more going on under the surface.”
Danny Heller received his BA in paintings from UC Santa Barbara in 2004 and has exhibited extensively throughout Southern California as well as in Denver, Chicago, Washington DC, and Boulonge-Billancourt, France. His work has been published in Southwest Art, CA Modern Magazine, Atomic Ranch Magazine, North Valley Community News, New American Paintings #73, and most recently was profiled on KCET and will be the subject of a documentary in late 2012. He currently lives and works in Palm Desert, CA.
Back to Artist Page
George Billis Gallery opened its second location in the Culver City area of Los Angeles in 2004 and marks its 15th year in the Chelsea arts district in New York City. George Billis shows work by both emerging and established artists. For more information please contact the gallery at:
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
T: 310-838-3685
F: 310-838-3438
email: [email protected]
www.georgebillis.com
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
T: 310-838-3685
F: 310-838-3438
email: [email protected]
www.georgebillis.com
