FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Clinton (Praying Hands)

Dates: August 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

September 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

Other days by appointment

Hours: 1-6 pm

Opening Event: August 25, 6-9 pm

Address: Gallery Boreas

133-A Roebling St.

Brooklyn, NY 11211

WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN, NY, JULY 27, 2004

Viviane Silvera presents large drawings on canvas of the nation’s 42nd President, Bill Clinton at Gallery Boreas. Exploring the transformational power of art, the drawings reposition and isolate images of Clinton taken from popular culture and in the process restore humanity to the image and illuminate a strong spiritual quality.

Clearly inspired by Durer’s 1508 drawing, “Praying Hands” extracts the universal from the specific by reinventing and reinterpreting Clinton’s image. Silvera’s drawings echo the renaissance drawing’s style and emotional tenor. While images from the popular press tend to inspire snap judgments and quick glances, images from “fine art” tend to have a more timeless quality that inspire a longer gaze and viewer empathy.

In “Praying Hands” Clinton’s face and hands become a mirror for mutual recognition with the viewer. Anxiety, plaintiveness, sadness, and anger emerge in the zoomed-in carefully-cropped images. Clenched, praying hands are placed against his face sometimes gently, sometimes tightly with a grimace.

How appropriate it is that Clinton should be in prayer now. How hopeful is he?

An opening reception for the public will take place at Gallery Boreas on August 25 from 6-9 pm.

Press Contact: Scott Laugenour, Director

718 384 3562