Press Release

Grace DeGennaro: Rivers

April 30 – May 31, 2008

Aucocisco Galleries is pleased to present “Rivers,” an exhibition of new paintings by Grace DeGennaro.  In this exhibition, DeGennaro continues to explore symbolism, sacred geometry, color, and abstraction.  The work in this exhibition focuses on the centralized curving form of the river, as both visual and spiritual metaphor.  DeGennaro states:

“I am interested in the power of traditional symbols and sacred geometry to communicate ideas that lie beyond the limitations of language and culture…  The river symbolizes the passage of life, creative power and a place of ritual ablution and purification.”

In these works, the labor-intensive accumulation of small painted beads suggests prayer and meditation, a connection of process and image.  In oil on linen, DeGennaro uses a limited palette with a vocabulary of symbolic imagery that resonates with eternal meaning, images that suggest the passage of time, growth, duality and ritual.  In addition to the symbol of the river, DeGennaro uses images of leaves, jewels and vessels.  For DeGennaro,

“Jewels symbolize hidden treasures of knowledge or truth. The cutting of precious stones signifies the soul being shaped from the rough, dark stone into the jewel, symmetrical and reflecting divine light… Vessels are a universal feminine symbol and represent fertility and inwardness.”

In Gnomonic Growth, the central form of the river is accentuated by the bulging almond shape of the vesica piscis, with two full moons suggesting fertility and fullness.  The rich black background of Night River sets off an undulating series of beaded waves flowing through the center of the canvas.  In Chakras, one edge of the river is reversed to form a vessel with a spine of stacked, beaded vesica piscis forms, perhaps a reference to the body and its role as vessel of the spirit.

Grace DeGennaro studied in England and Skidmore College, and received her MFA from Columbia University.  In addition to this exhibition, her work can be seen in “To Infinity and Beyond: Mathematics in Contemporary Art” at the Heckscher Museum of Art from April 19 – June 22.  DeGennaro exhibits regularly in New England, Philadelphia and New York, and her work may be found in several prominent collections, including Bell Atlantic, Fidelity Investments, the Gund Collection, and the Smithsonian Museum of American Art.