New York's Haven Gallery in Northport has recently hosted the works of two artists who use animal portraiture to better understand the rest of us mammals navigating this hectic world. For her second exhibition with the gallery, Camilla d'Errico debuts The Zodiac, a collection of twenty-four new paintings that explore the twelve astrological signs. In his first exhibition with the gallery, Travis Louie introduces Animals That I've Known, a cavalcade of spirited animal portraits that capture the past while embracing the other.
Italo-Canadian artist Camilla d'Errico has recently made waves in the fine art and comic industry with her Pop-Surrealist and manga-influenced style. Employing many shapes, sizes, colors, and personalities, d'Errico's latest work champions personal acceptance, while reaffirming that many forms of beauty proclaim each.
Camilla d'Errico, "Gemini", oil on panel, 16 x 20 inches
Her zodiac paintings feature twelve quintessential women with expressive eyes rendered in lush patterns, and vivid drips of pigment pooling together to symbolize their respective anthropomorphic signs. Meanwhile, her bee paintings as archetypical adornments of Camilla's consummate color palette. By using animal counterparts to serve as companions and extensions of the female psyche, d'Errico highlights the astrological characteristics form air, earth, fire and water in each and every one of us.
Camilla d'Errico, "Scorpio", oil on panel, 10 x 14 inches
Travis Louie is a New York-based artist whose paintings originate from tiny drawings and numerous writings in his journals. Creating an imaginary world inspired by Victorian and Edwardian eras, Louie's exhibition delves into human oddities, mythical beings, and otherworldly creatures quirky, formal portraits laced with humor and affection.
Travis Louie, “Gentleman Squid”, acrylic on board, 14 x 11 inches
With a story accompanying each painting, Louie's works display anthropomorphic figures in curiously engaging poses that offer familiarity and friendship welcoming the viewer to learn more. Louie’s work reminds us that the unfamiliar and unusual can be illuminating and relatable, inspiring exploration of the unknown to see beyond our differences.
Travis Louie, “Willy White Quills”, acrylic on board, 10 x 8 inches
Using animal counterparts to serve as companions extending their work, D'Errico explores the mythical zodiac, so familiar to everyone, while Louie creates portraits from an alternate universe. In addition to the exhibition, a 54-page, limited edition, dual art book from the two artists will be available for purchase through the gallery. Check it out here.
"The Zodiac" and "Animals That I've Known" are both currently on display at the Haven Gallery in Northport, through June 15, 2019.
