Not abstract but it’s around the corner in my hood and its painting.
JERSEY CITY, NJ - Jersey City Museum asked Publisher and editor, Billy Miller to invite one of his favorite artists, painter Pia Dehne for INTRODUCING: Why Paint Now? The program will focus on the painting in the 21st-century and feature a discussion with the artists about her commitment to painting in the modern age of the Internet, multimedia and instant image-making. Pia Dehne studied with Markus Lüpertz at the Düsseldorf Art Academy.
About Pia Dehne: Influenced both by Classic German Modernism and the style of the Italian artist Tanino Liberatore’s comics, Dehne incorporates both famous and infamous ‘masterworks’ into her paintings, from Ingres’ Oriental Bathers to Queen’s Fat Bottomed Girls and Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland album art. Ms. Dehne’s painting process is as indebted to photography as it is to performance.
In her work, Dehne assembles live models into a tableaux vivant that are centered on pop imagery. Next, she photographs the tableaux. Finally, back in the studio, she makes a series paintings and drawings based on the photograph of the tableaux. Dehne says, “In the end I don’t really need the photograph anymore. It’s more like a crutch, a place to start. This combines with memory and I completely lose myself to the drawing. I see myself more like an abstract artist. I transform form and content, and try not to think. Otherwise, I would just show the photograph instead of the drawing.”
About Billy Miller: Billy Miller is an artist and writer. He has exhibited his work both nationally and abroad. Some of his exhibitions include P.S.1, John Connelly Presents, Visionaire, Kunstverein München, and Dietch Projects. He is also the editor and publisher of a number of independent publications, including the cult series Straight To Hell, a/k/a The Manhattan Review of Unnatural Acts. Pia and Billy at 58 Gallery: Why Paint Now? coincides with “THE OTHER SIDE,” a group exhibition at Jersey City’s 58 Gallery. The opening reception is Friday, April 11, 2008 at 7 pm. The show, curated by Billy Miller, features small works by Pia Dehne, as well as artists from New York, Brooklyn and New Jersey.
Founded in 1901, the Jersey City Museum is the major presenter of contemporary art serving the people of Jersey City, Hudson County and the region. The museum organizes many group and solo exhibitions every year, featuring works by culturally diverse, contemporary artists and from its 10,000-piece collection of regional significant art and historical objects. Through exhibitions, educational initiatives and programs, the museum welcomes over 25,000 visitors each year, including 11,000 school-aged children and youth. Jersey City Museum is located at 350 Montgomery Street at Monmouth in the Historic Downtown District of Jersey City, within walking distance of the Grove Street PATH and Jersey Avenue Light Rail stations. For more information, visit www.jerseycitymuseum.org or call 201-413-0303.
