“We love to bring people together,” said Gallery Director Angela Di Bello at the opening reception at Agora Gallery on Thursday, April 2nd, 2015. Many of the artists whose work is featured in the current exhibitions had gathered along with several early arrivals to the reception.
Agameishi with guests, discussing her illustrations from The Tale of Genji.
Among the artists was Agameishi, a painter and calligraphy artist from Japan. She was decked out in a beautiful kimono to celebrate the opening of her exhibition, which included her illustrations from The Tale of Genji.
Outside the weather was warm, a signal that the long winter had ended. All of the Agora Gallery staff in attendance wore a silk butterfly pin to celebrate that spring had finally sprung!
Also in the room was artist Lucy Ward, who was unable to physically travel to New York, but was able to use Skype to attend from her sister’s iPad. From left to right: Lucy, her sister, Marco Donner, Michael Lam, and FallaBella
“These gatherings are a springboard for inspiration,” Angela continued. “Artists are truly the fire of the universe.”
Lyse Lykke explained that she would like her audience to feel happy and joyful upon seeing her exuberantly colorful compositions. “Exhibiting in New York City,” she explained, “is a dream. It’s a great. It’s a marvelous group of artists.”
Guest enjoying Lise Lykke’s abstract paintings.
According to BG Karlsson, exhibiting in New York City “is the final dream in my life to come true.” BG has been a full-time artist since 1992, after exhibiting for the first time in 1976 at a small bank in southern Sweden. He explained to me that he would like his viewers to create a story about his paintings. Featuring human figures with undefined facial features, his paintings invite viewers to formulate their own meanings. In this sense, his paintings are truly timeless, constantly evolving depending upon when they are viewed and by whom.
Artist BG Karlsson speaking with guests during his reception.
The reception marked a particularly special evening for Jake Beauchamp, who was celebrating his birthday in addition to the opening of his exhibition. “I couldn’t be more honored to exhibit at Agora Gallery,” he told me. “I couldn’t be happier.”
Three guests admiring the abstractions of Jake Beauchamp
Jake, who traveled to New York City for the opening with his wife, recounted an earlier trip to the Big Apple. Despite being slightly overwhelmed, he vowed to come back – with his artwork. If viewers would take anything away from his work, he said, it would be “emotion, emotion, emotion. If I’ve got your emotions and you feel something about my work, then I’m successful.”
East Meets West: An Exhibition of Fine Art from Asia, Pulse of Abstraction, Contemporary Perspectives, and Sensorial Perspectives will be on view through March 26, 2015. To visit these exhibitions, please join us at Agora Gallery, which is open from 11 am – 6 pm, Tuesday – Saturday. Keep up to date with all things Agora by subscribing to our mailing list and following us on Facebook.
