Larger Than Life

Owners of The White Room Gallery, Andrea McCafferty and Kat O’Neill, define an icon as “a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of veneration or great respect.” McCafferty added, “Though it began with religious figures and symbols years ago, it has since evolved into a celebration of those people or creations that have become larger than life in our culture.”

It is with this definition in mind that the Bridgehampton gallery presents I-CONz, featuring the artwork of Ceravolo, Candice CMC, and Steve Joester.

Ceravolo has been creating large-scale paintings for over 30 years. His New York upbringing brought him to create six large-scale portraits in the Palladium Theatre lobby, which include portraits of Hugh Hefner, Rod Stewart, Elton John, and others. His famous Urban Pop takes such icons and, using colorful design, creatively works them in gray. “The realistic image always painted in gray is combined with colorful textured brush strokes and sometimes three-dimensional abstract elements to give the work of art that distinctive look which has been my trademark,” Ceravolo said.

With a degree in graphic design, advertising art, and photography, New Yorker Candice CMC took her vast knowledge and applied it to a new style of artistic photography. Her photographs capture Einstein, Van Gogh, Willy Wonka, Marilyn Monroe, Wonder Woman, and others, in a captivating way — through the careful placement of individual images of donuts that she took. It’s pop art reimagined, as onlookers are encouraged to view the images through a camera (or smartphone) to see the piece fully form.

Across the pond, Joester shot the Brits as a rock ’n‘ roll photographer in the ’70s and ’80s. His photographs landed placements on posters, magazines, and album sleeves. He documented Neil Young, Sting, Mick Jagger, and Andy Warhol on film. His pieces are personal interpretations through mixed media work.

“In curating this exhibit, we set out to find artists whose styles were just as iconic as their subjects. Vintage rock star photographs take on new dimensions as they are married with mixed media narratives. Donuts come together to imbue faces with vibrancy and color in magical ways. A master painter captures the essences of Hollywood stars at their prime. In a strange and delightful way, this exhibit is a celebration of life as even though many of the icons featured have long since left us, their cultural impact lives on,” O’Neill concluded.

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, October 26, from 5 to 7 PM. The show is up through December 1. Visit www.thewhiteroom.gallery to learn more.

nicole@indyeastend.com