Taking an almost balanced mix of men and women artists, working in a wide range of media, the show is intended to spotlight a unity of affection for this most engaging, yet enigmatic, of artistic subjects.
Three photographers approach the topic with three very different approaches. Kelly Anderson-Staley uses the 19th century ambrotype, wet-plate process, along with the requisite long exposure times, to produce portraits of 21st century women. The portraits have a distinct Victorian feel, while being entirely contemporary.
H. Lisa Solon also uses a historic photographic method, cyanotype, but the imagery is hardly l9th century. Her highly abstract images often only barely hint at the subject matter, and indeed there is a distinct (slightly naughty) thrill when the abstract shapes coalesce.
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Four painters will be in the show. The urgent pink and black paintings of Saki Kishimoto present the faces or torsos of young women, erotically charged, and with a hint of unspecified danger. The figure studies of Alex Stein carry an equal (but perhaps opposite) charge. Painted on folded magazine and newspaper pages, these women exist in a shadowy space somewhere between irony and obsession. The largest painting in the show is by Ukrainian born artist Lucien Dulfan. From a series of circular paintings (which range in size from 7 inches to 7 feet in diameter) called "Big Bang/Last Straw" a pictorial history of the universe, they will be presenting "Africa."
Lastly, woman as allegory and woman as media vehicle are addressed by the wickedly subversive images of James Cole.
A very specific aspect of women, their braided hair, is the subject of work by Paul Shore. He will be presenting his drawings of braids in charcoal and blood. And Aimee Hertog offers over the top sculptures which incorporate just about every known item of 'household' merchandise ever sold in a 99¢ store.
Join the artists for a reception on June 21, 6 to 8 p.m. The gallery will also be hosting a special concert by Ensemble Pamplemousse on June 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. and a CLWN WR poetry reading on July 19 at 7 p.m.
Visit www.safeTgallery.com for information. The gallery is at 111 Front Street, Suite 214, in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn, between Washington and Adams streets. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. and Thursday to 8 p.m. Admission is free. For more, call 718-782-5920.


