BERNARDUCCI.MEISEL.GALLERY
37 West 57 Street . New York 10019 . 212.593.3757
bernarducci@meiselgallery.com . bernarduccimeisel.com
ESTER CURINI
NEW PAINTINGS
2 – 25 October 2014
Bernarducci Meisel Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new paintings by Ester Curini. This exhibition includes nearly a dozen detailed, life-size portraits of animals from various locations presented on white backgrounds. Curini travels to zoos, farms, and sanctuaries on the East Coast and near her hometown in Italy searching for unique and intriguing animal subjects, becoming a student of their unique personalities. The documentation of these unsuspecting models is the source material for her paintings.
The level of meticulousness and skill in Curini’s paintings is undeniable. She patiently builds up layer upon layer of paint until a distilled and accurate resolution is conceived. Individual strands of hair are painted one at a time. The color and texture is matched perfectly to her reference and memory of time spent with each animal. The result is an undeniable realistic representation of these humane and charming creatures.
The distinctive quality about these paintings is not only the expression and kind demeanor each animal emits but also the reflection in their eyes. It provides access to the animals’ surroundings. The stark white background of each portrait leaves to the imagination of the viewer the world in which they live. The animal’s eyes often look outward, toward the viewer and reveal foliage, architecture, and at times the artist with her camera as in Nando (2014). These miniature details are quite remarkable and add a new layer to each portrait.
Zephyr (2014) is just one of many wolves that roams the grounds of the Wolf Conservation Center in Salem, New York. At six feet high, the wolf appears to loom over the viewer, stalking us like prey. However, Curini, with her compassionate eye, succeeds in bringing out the gentle nature of this carnivorous beast.
This is Curini’s second solo exhibition with the Gallery. Her first in 2012, entitled “Eye to Eye” was part of the BMG First Look program. Following a successful reception, the Gallery took Curini on as a represented artist. Exhibiting in various notable group exhibitions throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
For further information or images please contact Marina Press at marina@meiselgallery.com or
212.593.3757. Viewing hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00am to 5:30pm. Exhibition catalogue available.

