Adam Wallacavage
Shiny Monsters

Solo Exhibition
Philadelphia Art Alliance
251 South 18th Street
Philadlephia, PA 19103

May 17, 2012 through August 19, 2012

Philadelphia Art Alliance presents SHINY MONSTERS: An Installation by Adam Wallacavage, the artist's first solo exhibition in his home town of Philadelphia.

Wallacavage will take inspiration from his lavishly decorated home by presenting several new chandeliers within each gallery of the space. Inspired by the Gothic interiors of now-closed Catholic churches he visited throughout Philadelphia, Adam Wallacavage channeled his fascination with chandeliers by creating Jules Verne-inspired lighting for the dining room in his Victorian brownstone.

To construct these octopus sculptures, Wallacavage taught himself the traditional techniques of ornamental plastering, which includes large-cast plaster work and hand-sculpted pieces from epoxy-clay. Those initial sculptures inspired Wallacavage to continue to experiment in form, color, and technique, developing his own unique glazes and application technique to give his pieces a unique vibrant shimmer.

Recently, Wallacavage has added his love of kitsch to his sculptures. Casts of cartoon bunnies and elephants, Hello Kitty heads, and vintage toys are incorporated into his pieces, which are then covered in bright shades such as bubble-gum pink and mint green. The resulting sculptures reflect his varied aesthetic interests, ranging from 16th Century Baroque opulence to 1940s Americana.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Adam Wallacavage received a BFA in Photography at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. His chandeliers and other sculptural works have been published and exhibited internationally. Co-founder of the artist collective Space 1026, Wallacavage is also an accomplished photographer, documenting artists, musicians, and skateboarders. His first book Monster Size Monsters was released in 2006 through Gingko Press.



ABOUT THE PHILADELPHIA ART ALLIANCE
The Philadelphia Art Alliance is dedicated to the advancement and appreciation of innovative contemporary art with a focus on craft and design, and to inspiring dynamic interaction between audiences and artists in a setting of historic and aesthetic significance. Established in 1915, the Philadelphia Art Alliance is one of the oldest arts centers in the United States and is devoted to presenting emerging and established artists from the visual, literary, and performing arts.

Since 1926, the Alliance has been located in the Italian Renaissance-style palazzo on Rittenhouse Square. A jewel of Philadelphia residential architecture, the building was designed in 1906 by Charles Klauder of Frank Miles Day and Brother Architects. Andrew Wyeth held his first-ever solo exhibition at the Alliance in 1936; Paul Klee was featured in 1944; Merce Cunningham and John Cage performed together at the Alliance 1950; Robert Venturi exhibited in 1969. Consistent with its rich history, the Alliance is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Rittenhouse Square Historic District.

PHILADELPHIA ART ALLIANCE
251 South 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-545-4302
www.philartalliance.org