Nicholas Robinson Gallery

Nicholas Robinson Gallery is pleased to announce the second exhibition in its new lower gallery exhibition

space with the exhibition GIVING FACE Portraits for a New Generation, curated by Stephen Heighton .

The portraits in the show exemplify different idioms of representation in the context of the current

vernacular. The mediums range from embroidery by artist Cayce Zavaglia to photorealism by James Everett

Stanley, to the whimsical angel head by Randy Polumbo; from Skylar Fein’s Washington (7UP) post-modern

pop art to Nina Chanel Abney’s portrait of President Obama, which was painted for the cover of Newsweek to

commemorate his inauguration in January 2009. Each explores differing polemics through the varied use of

irony, literal documentation, satire, pathos and humor, amongst others.

The show illustrates the contemporary relevance of portrait painting by

demonstrating the continued proclivity of artist’s to politicize this most

traditional of formats. Examples include Liz Markus’ portrait of Nancy

Reagan, Nick Cave’s portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and Charles

Browning’s portrait of a Native American warrior.