Jonathan Weiner:
The Attacker's Move

Gallery I
Solo Exhibit

Opening reception - Saturday, May 13th, 6pm-9pm

May 13, 2006 through June 10, 2006

Jonathan Weiner:
"The Attacker's Move"
On View May 13th - June 10th, 2006
Opening Reception Saturday May 13th, 2006 from 6 p.m - 9 p.m.

New York, NY May 2006 – In artist Jonathan Weiner’s foreboding imagery, characters share something in common: they are each struggling to survive. As voyeurs of this narrative world, we are unaware of the origin of this threat, yet we sense it’s presence and empathize with characters that fear the uncontrollable. Through skillful representation, a rich, iridescent palette, and subtle metaphor, Weiner shares a world of human struggle, stripped of pretense.  The opening reception for The Attacker’s Move is on Saturday, May 13th, from 6pm-9pm at Jonathan LeVine Gallery.  The exhibition will be on view through June 10th. A book signing event will be held on June 10th, from 3pm-6pm featuring Weiner’s new book, Tranquil Aftermath.

Essential to Weiner’s subject matter is an element of opposition: “I think of my paintings as movies, and what’s a movie without conflict or drama? There must be a struggle, or it’s not interesting.” In The Attacker’s Move, the plight is for safety. Using dramatic lighting effects on his subjects, Weiner creates an ethereal space where insecurities and suspicions emerge from seemingly ill-fated circumstances.  In Weiner’s work there exist two basic, yet overlapping archetypes: predator and prey, though it is unclear at times which is which.  He depicts a twisted food chain, where a swarm of white butterflies looms suspiciously, or a strange bird with a menacing beak lurks in a peculiar domestic environment. 
 
Weiner discovers a tragic and beautiful species amidst the absurd and artificial wilderness of contemporary urban life. Applying irony and humor to his compositions with nuanced symbolism, he captures moments and experiences both fleeting and visceral. In a series of portraits entitled Unarmed Civilians, Weiner seduces the viewer with the gaze of a porcelain-faced woman, or stuns us with the contorted face of a distressed male.  “Even a simple portrait needs a story,” explains Weiner, “I like depicting characters with vulnerabilities and defenses.  One is hiding beneath his hooded parka, one covers his wounded eye, a woman looks sad or worried . . . I inject an element of anxiety into everything.”

Jonathan Weiner (a.k.a VINER) was born somewhere in New York in June of 1976. He was raised up and down the east coast, and upon graduation from Rhode Island School of Design in 1998, he moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he continues to work. His paintings and illustrations have been published in Juxtapoz Magazine, Communication Arts, American Illustration, Print Magazine, Art Matters, Playboy, and Rolling Stone.



Saturday June 10th, 2006 from 3-6 pm will be a book signing at Jonathan LeVine Gallery for Jonathan Weiner's new book "Tranquil Aftermath". Following the book signing we will be having a party at the Crocodile Lounge to celebrate the realease of Tranquil Aftermath as well as the birthday of artist Jonathan Weiner. The Crocodile Lounge is located at 325 East 14th Street (bet 1st and 2nd ave).  The party starts at 9pm. There will be a cash bar, skee ball and free pizza.

Go to Past Exhibits to see more information regarding the release of "Tranquil Aftermath".