Virginia Commonwealth University

Denise Bibro Fine Art is pleased to present …For Lovers, featuring the work of 13 recent M.F.A. graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Painting and Printmaking. On view June 26 – July 26, 2009, the show encompasses a remarkable diversity of approach to concept and technique, demonstrates seriousness of purpose, and constitutes a significant contribution to the contemporary cultural landscape.

Leah Beeferman’s text-based drawings, animations, and sound works address the persistence and limitatioons of human exploration in the fields of science, engineering and architecture. Painting on the reverse side of Plexiglass, Josh Bonnett creates watery, organic abstractions, which he often illuminates from behind. Brooke Inman’s idiosyncratic drawings investigate the limitations and challenges of interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships with elegant minimalism. Kate Kisicki is inspired by her love of painting’s emotive properties, yet the works also incorporate elements of pop culture. An installation of small mixed media pieces by Tony Klotz depicts esoteric imagined landscapes and utopian communities. Jessica Langley employs tropes from romantic landscape painting while commenting on American privilege in her sardonic series featuring cat climbing structures. Painting takes on three dimensions in Ryan Lauterio’s sculptural MONO–RAIL (at wits end infinite welcome), an energetically painted fantastical transportation vehicle. Carmen McLeod uses photographs as a starting point to create painterly collaged interiors. Large acrylic canvases by Theresa Marchetta utilize pop strategies to depict subjects of power. Working with yarn, Valerie Molnar knits vibrantly colored, large-scale, wall-mounted abstractions. Monica Palma explores the relationship between closeness and distance, in drawings both intimate and immense. Combining her fascination with optical illusion and highly restrained abstraction, Alexis Semtner’s paintings investigate the nature of perception. Jill Ann Zevenbergen constructs large-scale, digitally mastered laser-cut paper installations exploring repetition in the contemporary urban landscape.

The V.C.U. Painting M.F.A. program is rated number eight in the United States, and has a fast growing reputation as a national leader in painting, printmaking, digital media, theory, and new genres.